Chief offers land to virgins

Abesim (B/A) - Dormaa Traditional Council has decided to offer a building plot in any part of the traditional area to any female student from the area who would complete university a virgin. Nana Kumi Akyeaw 11, Chief of Abesim and Kyidomhene of the traditional area said this at the opening and dedication of "The Kids Shelter", a 12-room foster home at Abesim, run by Alafya Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.

The home, with 10 inmates, was built through the assistance of the Dutch Embassy in Ghana and some Dutch friends of the directors of the home, Mr. and Mrs. Moses Adu Osei.

The Abesim chief said the move by the council was to encourage female students to concentrate on their studies so they could take up responsible positions in future and also to help curb sexual promiscuity and teenage pregnancy in the area.

Nana Kumi, who represented Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu 11, President of Dormaa Traditional Council, commended the directors of the home for their efforts and gave assurance of his preparedness to offer whatever assistance for the success of the project.

Mrs. Lidi Remmelzwaal, Dutch Ambassador, said the project could have a positive impact on the daily life of the target group and of the communities, stressing that community involvement and local ownership were key factors for success.

She said the Dutch government decided to support Alafya Foundation "because we were convinced of the quality of the proposal and its capacity to make the project a success."

"Our contribution consisted of funding for the refurbishment and the equipment for the Kids' Shelter and through this I hope that we also have contributed to the wider objectives that is to help create the right environment for education and training that helps children to become responsible and independent adults", the ambassador said. Mrs. Gerdy Osei, a director of the home and a Dutch with more than 30 years stay in Ghana said she and her husband conceived the idea to provide the foster home in the year 2000 to assist children without helpers. She urged parents to live up to their responsibilities to avoid more children drifting to the streets to lead irresponsible lives.

Me. Eric Opoku, Deputy Brong-Ahafo regional Minister gave assurance of the government's commitment to continue to resource such homes so that helpless children could be moulded to become responsible adult citizens.