Paramount Chief of Nangode traditional area Naaba Kosom Asaga Yelzuya has warned sub-chiefs in the area to desist from endorsing child marriage or risk being desenskined.
According to him, some parents visit the palaces of chiefs to complain about their daughter’s pregnancy just to get the chief to compel the boy to marry the pregnant girl, something some chiefs see as the honourable and most noble thing to do.
Naaba Kosom Asaga who was speaking at a well-attended sensitization durbar put together by Afrikids Ghana in Kongo as part of the organization’s effort to fight early marriage and child marriage in the district mentioned that any chief who compels a boy to marry a girl child because she is pregnant is not only indulging in an immoral act, but, also engaging in criminality therefore exposing him to disenskinment.
“Normally, parents will come to your palace to complain to you that their daughter has been impregnated by such and such a boy, and what they are looking for is that the chief will compel the boy to marry the girl and sometimes we may even think that is the honourable and noble thing to do. Today we are hearing that it is even criminal. So I want you to know that you doing that is not just an immoral act but it is a criminal act and any chief who gets himself involved in criminality gives himself out for disenskinment.”
The chief noted that Early marriage and child marriages have been the bane of the traditional area over the years, but was of the believe that the presence of Afrikids Ghana and the hard work pumped into raising awareness and educating parents and children on the effects of child and early marriage, the problem will be arrested.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the good work Afrikids Ghana is doing most sectors of the area to better the lives of his subjects.
“Afrikids, you are doing the right thing and this shows that your heart and mind is in what you are doing as an NGO. Afrikids have helped Nabdam so much and in numerous ways. Their school for herds’ boys have been instrumental and has provided education for these boys who hitherto will not have had formal education. Afrikids have helped most of my children to get educated and an example is Elisha who through Afrikids, have been able to complete UDS and being of much importance to the Nabdam district.”
On her part, District Chief Executive, Vivian Anafo, disclosed that the district has revived its social welfare department to complement the effort Afrikids Ghana is making to ensure that teenagers are given a fair understanding of the education.
The revived Social Welfare Department according to her, will provide counselling services in order for teenagers of school going age to be enlightened on the benefits of education and opportunities that awaits them if they concentrate on their books.
Hon. Vivian Anafo however, praised Afrikids Ghana for putting together such programs that affords students in the district the rare opportunity to boost their confidence and also better their act but urged students to be focused on their education to better their future fortunes.
By: Offei- Akoto Ayeh | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
