The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)-Ghana has raised concerns about the rising incidence of child marriages and teenage pregnancies in the country, attributing a significant portion of the blame to what it describes as irresponsible parenting.
Speaking to the media in Zuarungu in the Bolgatanga East District, the National Coordinator of FAWE-GH, Richard Amoani, said child marriages and teenage pregnancies have a detrimental impact on the education and overall development of young girls.
“What we have realized is that most people will hide behind poverty and say that because of that, we cannot take care of our children, and for that reason, the children are doing whatever they want to do. Parents have to be responsible, whether they have resources or not. The issue of poverty should not prevent any parent from becoming responsible,” Mr. Amoani stressed.
He emphasized the urgent need for parents and guardians to take an active role in the lives of their children, providing guidance on reproductive health, education, and life choices.
This came to light during a 3-day workshop for journalists in the Upper East Region on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, Gender Equality, and Harmful Traditional Practices. The training was organized by FAWE-GH through the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project with funding support from Global Affairs Canada.
The 5-year project is implemented by a consortium, led by Right to Play and supported by WaterAid Ghana, FHI360, and FAWE-GH. The project is implemented in communities in the Bongo and Kassena-Nankana West districts and Builsa North and Kassena-Nankana Municipals.
The National Coordinator of FAWE-GH disclosed that the above districts were selected after findings that discovered that communities in the districts have issues relating to Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights.
A Media Consultant, Communication for Development, Kwesi Ghartey-Tagoe, entreated journalists to get first-hand information from victims of child marriage, abuses, and teenage pregnancies, for genuine reportage.
“Not much is being said about the issues of adolescent reproductive health. We report, but it is on the surface in terms of what is happening,” he added.
He admonished the media to be consistent in reporting on the sector to reduce the menace.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Zuarungu|Ghana
