The queen mother of Tusaug Traditional Area in the Upper East Region, Poanaba Alaas Buudi I, has called for support to end teenage pregnancies, female genital mutilation, child abuse and other practices which she said have become prevalent in the area.
Speaking at a durbar for the women association of Kusaug traditional area in Bawku, she observed these practices coupled with lack of economic empowerment opportunities were impeding the progress and well-being of women in the area.
She thus appealed for support from government and other non-governmental organisations to embark on a massive sensitisation campaign of adolescent girls, particularly those in school, in a move to prevent early pregnancies.
Upper East Regional Minister, Paulina Patience Abayage who was at the durbar themed “The Role of Women in the Kusaug Traditional Area in Development,” noted most decision-making positions in today’s world have been taken by men.
Using herself as an example, she remarked that it would only take a proper education to push women up the decision-making table.
Madam Abayage stated that, women’s participation in the nation building is an important ingredient in achieving an equitable, peace and prosperous society, but said some sceptics fear putting women decision making positions too soon will lead to instability.
The regional minister added that a nation that shows greater concern for the rights of the weaker strata of its citizens, including women, will be less likely to initiate violence.
She urged queen mothers and women in the area to take advantage of the government policies like the free senior high school, to send their girl-child to school to enable them assume most of the enviable positions as teachers, doctors, lawyers, accountant and ministers of state among others.
The regional minister commended the chiefs, queen mothers and people of the Kusaug Traditional area for sustaining peace in the area, noting such a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for development and investors.
For her part, the Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, Hajia Hawa Ninchema, mentioned a number of government projects in the municipality and revealed that of 10 allocated dams under the 1-Village 1-Dam, 8 have so far been completed.
She added that works on a warehouse project to store excess produce from the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme were progressing steadily.
By 3news.com|Ghana