Half Assini(W/R), Aug.20 GNA - A 17-year-old JHS two girl who was gi= ven out in marriage in Niger, has been returned back to Ghana on the orders of the police to continue her education. The head teacher of the school, Mr John Lokpor made this known to the Ghana News Agency at Half Assini.

He said the girl was withdrawn from school in July against her wishes to marry a retired educationist in Niger. Mr Lokpor said the girl who is the current Senior Prefect of the schoo= l would be writing her BECE examination in April next year. He said on August 2, they heard that the girl had been given out for marriage by the father Mr Adamu Mohammed from the Zongo community in Half Assini. He then wrote a petition to the District Offices of the Ghana Educatio= n Service, Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice and the District Assembly to intercede for the girl to enable her complete her education before going into marriage. He said while waiting for action by these organizations, he heard that the marriage had been finalised and the girl had been sent to the husband whose name was only given as Ayuba in Niger. Mr Lokpor said he reported the matter to Half Assini Police who immediately invited the father, Mr Adamu for questioning about the whereabouts of the girl.

He said the police ordered the father to bring back the girl within tw= o weeks and on August 15, Mr Adamu reported to the police station with the girl from Niger.

Meanwhile the Jomoro District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police, John Fergurson Dzineku has also told the father of the girl that she must be allowed to complete her education. A cross-section of people at Half Assini commended the head teacher an= d police for the prompt action and good work they have done to bring the girl back to Ghana and to school.