Traditional council to Sanction Men Who Impregnate Teenage Girls

Wurumso (Brong Ahafo), 8 Dec., The Wuromso Traditional Council has decided to sanction any person who impregnates a school girl in the traditional area. Nana Nsiah Ababio, chief of the area announced this at a public education forum on free compulsory and universal basic education (FCUBE) at Wurumso in the Asutifi District of the Brong-Ahafo Region yesterday. He said the council took the decision to enable it curb the rampant drop-out of teenage girls from school due to pregnancies. Nana Ababio said the sanctions would include the cultivation of a sizeable cocoa farm by the culprits for the victims, the traditional council would also see to it that the girls are properly maintained and return to school after giving birth. The Wurumsohene was not happy with girl-child education in the area and called on parents to advise their children on problems associated with teenage pregnancy. Reverend Emmanuel Wiseman Kwesi Kusi, Asutifi District Director of Education said the FCUBE programme is a comprehensive sector-wide education programme for all children of school going age in Ghana by the year 2005. He pointed out that the educational reforms of the government cannot be achieved without the full participation of communities. Rev. Kusi said the establishment of school management committees and parent-teacher associations are to ensure good management of schools. He also charged chiefs and community leaders to cultivate the spirit of maintenance to supplement government efforts.

GRi.