Supreme Court nominee Justice Dennis Dominic Adjei has thrust the issue of legal inconsistency in Ghana’s child protection laws back into the national spotlight, urging policymakers to confront the contradiction between the country’s age of sexual consent and its legal age for marriage.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, 2025, Justice Adjei questioned the rationale behind allowing sexual activity at age 16 while prohibiting marriage until 18—a discrepancy he believes could be undermining efforts to protect Ghanaian youth.
“If you cannot marry at 16, why have sex at 16?” the seasoned jurist asked, a pointed remark that challenges lawmakers to rethink how the law protects minors from exploitation and societal harm.
The gap between the Criminal Offences Act of 1960—which allows individuals as young as 16 to consent to sex—and the Children’s Act of 1998—which sets the minimum marriage age at 18—has long been criticised by child rights organisations. Many argue that the mismatch fuels teenage pregnancies, exposes minors to abuse, and makes legal accountability more difficult.
Justice Adjei’s intervention is being seen by legal observers as a well-timed call for harmonisation, coming at a moment when Ghana continues to battle high rates of adolescent pregnancy and child abandonment.
Advocates say the current legal framework sends mixed signals, enabling situations where a 16-year-old can be lawfully involved in a sexual relationship but is barred from the legal protections and responsibilities that come with marriage.
“The law must reflect the realities and vulnerabilities of children in today’s society,” one child protection expert said in response to the nominee’s comments. “When legal loopholes exist, they are often exploited to the detriment of young girls in particular.”
Justice Adjei, widely respected for his contributions to judicial education and human rights law across Africa, has built a reputation for speaking out on matters that affect social justice and legal integrity. His vetting is already being viewed as one of the most thought-provoking in recent memory, with several lawmakers acknowledging the relevance of his legal reasoning.
Members of Parliament, civil society groups, and human rights advocates are now expected to push for renewed dialogue on reforming the age-of-consent laws—something that has stalled for years despite repeated calls.
Justice Adjei’s nomination to the Supreme Court continues to undergo scrutiny, but his remarks have already sparked what could become a pivotal national conversation about protecting Ghana’s youth through more coherent and child-sensitive legal policies.
