Children in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District have appealed to policy makers to ensure regular education on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, Drug and Child Abuse to enable them make informed decisions.
According to them, the absence of such education has resulted in high teenage pregnancy rate and other social vices among the youth in the district.
The children made the appeal at the Youth Mock Assembly at Abura Dunkwa organised by National Youth Council (NYC) in collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and supported by Plan Ghana on September 1, 2009. It was on the theme "Promoting and Protecting the Rights of our Children for Sustainable Development".
The programme was the sixth to be organised in the Central Region and aimed at creating a platform for the youth to discuss pertinent issues affecting them, especially adolescent reproductive health and other developmental issues. About 30 Junior High School students selected from schools in Abura Dunkwa were involved in the programme.
The Deputy National Youth Coordinator of NYC, Mr. Archibald Donkor indicated that the programme was an advocacy agenda aimed at creating a favourable platform for the youth to freely express their opinions on issues affecting their daily lives.
He expressed satisfaction at the performance of the children and called on the District Assembly to sponsor the extension of the programme to other communities in the district.
The District Chief Executive, Hon. Aba Edusah was very delighted at the performance put up by the children and entreated all children of school going age to endeavour to remain in the classroom during school hours to benefit from the expertise of their teachers.
She said a Committee had been put in place by the District Assembly to delve into the causes of poor standard of education in the district and propose solutions for implementation.
Miss Araba Neizer, A.A.K. District Director of Education expressed her delight at the wonderful performance of the children and wondered how only two from the entire 2008 Basic Education Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E.) candidates could qualified to be selected to Achimota and Aggrey Memorial Zion Senior High Schools.
She charged the Assembly members and Traditional rulers to see the schools in their communities as their own properties and ensure that they derive the best out of such schools.
The youth assembly presented an 11 point resolution to the District Chief Executive after their discussions and hoped that more than 70% of youth related challenges would be addressed if policy makers implemented the stated proposals.
Among the issues raised in the resolution were:
F.A. Ebow Taylor
A.A.K. District Information Officer
The children made the appeal at the Youth Mock Assembly at Abura Dunkwa organised by National Youth Council (NYC) in collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and supported by Plan Ghana on September 1, 2009. It was on the theme "Promoting and Protecting the Rights of our Children for Sustainable Development".
The programme was the sixth to be organised in the Central Region and aimed at creating a platform for the youth to discuss pertinent issues affecting them, especially adolescent reproductive health and other developmental issues. About 30 Junior High School students selected from schools in Abura Dunkwa were involved in the programme.
The Deputy National Youth Coordinator of NYC, Mr. Archibald Donkor indicated that the programme was an advocacy agenda aimed at creating a favourable platform for the youth to freely express their opinions on issues affecting their daily lives.
He expressed satisfaction at the performance of the children and called on the District Assembly to sponsor the extension of the programme to other communities in the district.
The District Chief Executive, Hon. Aba Edusah was very delighted at the performance put up by the children and entreated all children of school going age to endeavour to remain in the classroom during school hours to benefit from the expertise of their teachers.
She said a Committee had been put in place by the District Assembly to delve into the causes of poor standard of education in the district and propose solutions for implementation.
Miss Araba Neizer, A.A.K. District Director of Education expressed her delight at the wonderful performance of the children and wondered how only two from the entire 2008 Basic Education Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E.) candidates could qualified to be selected to Achimota and Aggrey Memorial Zion Senior High Schools.
She charged the Assembly members and Traditional rulers to see the schools in their communities as their own properties and ensure that they derive the best out of such schools.
The youth assembly presented an 11 point resolution to the District Chief Executive after their discussions and hoped that more than 70% of youth related challenges would be addressed if policy makers implemented the stated proposals.
Among the issues raised in the resolution were:
- Regular education on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, Drug and Child Abuse by Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service and the Media;
- Bye-laws to restrict children under 18 years from visiting cinema and other entertainment centers and institute penalties for offenders;
- Establishment of watchdog committees in various communities to report drug peddlers to appropriate authorities;
- Creation of skill training centers to empower the youth with employable skills; and
- Establishment of National Youth Council District Secretariat in the A.A.K. District with substantive officers to carry out youth development and empowerment programmes.
F.A. Ebow Taylor
A.A.K. District Information Officer
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