Discard Obsolete Cultural Practices - Minister

THE MINISTER of Works and Housing, Hon. Yaw Barimah, has described as obsolete and archaic the widely held notion in certain Ghanaian societies that the woman's domain was the kitchen.

In this regard, he called on society to preserve those aspects of our traditions and culture that are positive and discard the obsolete ones since every society is dynamic and ought to undergo changes.

Current world events, the minister noted, nullified the perception, adding that it was an incontrovertible fact that given the necessary push, the girl-child could do better socially and academically than some of their male counterparts.

Addressing the annual 'Kloyo Sikplemi' festival of the chiefs and people of the Yilo Krobo Traditional area, last week, the minister, who is also a lawyer, buttressed his assertion with the popular saying that "if you educate a man, you educate a person but if you educate a woman, you educate the entire nation," saying it was very relevant and true to the current situation.

Barimah noted that knowledge is power and he was of the view that attention on the education of the girl-child would enhance the empowerment of women in all spheres of life for them to take responsible positions in society and praised the people for adopting the theme, 'The development of Girl-Child Education in the Yilo Krobo District.'

The minister, who is also the MP for New Juaben, enjoined Yilos to ensure that every child of school going age is enrolled in school and encouraged to attend classes, adding that parents should avoid the temptation of making them traders at a tender age.

"Parents should do their very best by encouraging and supporting their children financially and I am hopeful that a significant impact can be made in the development of the girl-child," he stressed.

He reiterated the NPP government's resolve to ensure that all stakeholders are involved in the decision making process that affects their development.

The government, he said, would ensure that development projects and programmes are channelled to the communities to alleviate the rural populace from the doldrums of poverty and enhance their living standards.

Hon. Yaw Barimah called for an enabling environment for both governmental and non-governmental organisation to operate to ensure that the President's special initiative on cassava and production and the Emergency Social Relief of Poverty (ESRP) achieve their aims.

The Works and Housing Minister expressed concern about the AIDS scourge, saying the consequence of this debilitating disease affects the productivity and manpower development of the nation.

Earlier on in his welcome address, the Konor of Yilo Krobo, Nene Narh Dawutey Ologo III, saluted his citizens for ensuring peace and unity in the area and urged them to prioritise their programmes so as to improve their living standards.

He debunked certain societal perceptions that are skewed towards women with the mentality that women belong to the kitchen.
"These cultural beliefs hindered education, because their effect exposes the girl-child to early marriages and teenage pregnancy," he stressed.
Nene Ologo expressed regret that there was no hospital in the Yilo Krobo District which has population of 87,000.
This, he said, when provided would serve Shai and other Akuapem areas.
He noted the importance of telecommmunication in the new global economy and called on the government to expedite action on the provision of Telecom facilities in the district.
The DCE, Emmanuel Tettey, called on investors to take advantage of the tourist potentials andclay deposits that abound in the area.