Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin has raised concerns about the increasing spate of teenage pregnancy in the country.
Though civil societies and other human rights advocates have been working tirelessly to reverse the trend and ensure it becomes unattractive, the act still persists in some rural areas, something Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin described as unfortunate.
Addressing a gathering during a royal tour to Akyem areas to mark his 20th anniversary, Osagyefo Amoatia pleaded with the residents to make teenage pregnancy a thing of the past.
“There are young guys who do not even have a place of abode but they get these girls pregnant and their parents force them into marriage. Within a short period, another pregnancy follows and this is bad so let us put an end to teenage pregnancy.”
“Now education is free so let’s take advantage of it. Some time back, we made some rules in Kyebi that no children less than 17 years should be seen loitering after 9 pm. We also informed operators of video games that if they allow kids into their premises after 9 pm, we will close down their shops. We have to make rules and regulations to safeguard the future of our children,” he stated.
He further said “Royalty is in our DNA and it will not depart from us. It doesn’t matter what people will say because royalty and chieftaincy held our lands together to this time. I will implore everyone to respect the rule of law, and people in authority.”
Prioritize your children’s education – Okyenhene
Okyenhene also cautioned all parents and guardians in Akyem lands and the country as a whole to fully take up responsibilities of ensuring that their wards are educated.
According to the overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Authority, educating children is the best way of ending poverty in the country.
“I want parents and guardians to remain committed to educating their children. At first education was not free; only a few people had the money and the privilege to be educated but that trend has changed now so no parent should be a hindrance in the growth and success of their children. Let’s all take advantage of the free education policy we have now and ensure that all our children are educated to end poverty in homes,” he noted.