Liberia, Oct. 19 -- BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County - A call for urgent and sustained action to end child marriage dominated Liberia's 2026 International Day of the Girl Child commemoration in Buchanan, with child-rights advocate and Children Rescue Africa Founder Mercy C. Johnny warning that Liberia cannot achieve meaningful national development while girls continue to be pushed into early marriage.

By Patience M. Jones

Speaking to adolescent girls, government officials, development partners and civil society actors gathered at Buchanan City Hall on Monday, Johnny delivered a forceful keynote address under the national theme, "Ending Child Marriage in Liberia: Investing in Her Rights and Potential."

The commemoration, organized by the Ad...