Coaltar (E/R), June 30, GNA – Nanahemaa Asiedua II, the Queen Mother of Coaltar in the Eastern Region has called on parents and guardians to build cordial relations with their children at home.
That, she said would create enabling environment for the children to talk freely on issues confronting them in their day-to-day lives, especially among the adolescent girl-child.
Nanahemaa Asiedua made the call at the first-ever town hall meeting on teenage pregnancy organised by the Ark Development Organisation at Coaltar in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region.
The programme was supported by the Plan International Ghana under their Women’s Voice and Leadership Programme to help ensure the reduction of teenage pregnancy in communities in the country.
It was attended by chiefs, queen mothers, pastors, imams, students, government officials, parents and guardians.
Nanahemaa Asiedua expressed gratitude to the organisers of the event, which she said was an eye-opener for stakeholders to learn more about issues that confronted girls in the district and gave the assurance that her doors were opened for counselling and support to any adolescent child that faced with problems.
Mrs Eunice Asante, the Project Director of the Ark Development Organisation told the participants that the blame game of poor parenting and disrespect for the adolescent must give way to solutions to problems and the safeguard of children, particularly girls.
She said: “The blame game has gone on for too long; parents insisting adolescents nowadays do not respect whilst adolescents were blaming their parents and guardians for their poor parenting and negligence.”
Nii Adjiri Sackey, the District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education urged community leaders to put structures in place to enable the entire community to work together in the development of the children so that none of them would be left behind in education.
Ms Mary Asamoah, a student of the Coaltar Presby Senior High Technical School said although poverty played a role in increasing teenage pregnancy in the Ayensuano District, she believed some actions of some parents also encouraged adolescent girls to make advances on the opposite sex.
She appealed to parents to let them (girls) be their friends so that whenever they face problems or are under any pressure, they could share with them (parents) for guidance.
“To my colleagues, I would like to advise you to stay away from sex-related activities, focus on your studies because education will push us high; and also stay away from friends who will influence you badly but rather cultivate the habit of sharing your problems with your parents or any elderly persons in society to guide you to live a chaste life,” she added.
Source: Ghana News Agency
