The Awuah Dankwa Educational Foundation, a non-profit educational organisation, has held a one-day girl-child forum to educate teenage girls in Atiwa West on teenage pregnancy and its implications.
The forum was organised by the Awuah Dankwa Atiwa West Students Association (ADAWSA), a portfolio established by Mr. Awuah Dankwa, a parliamentary candidate hopeful for the New Patriotic Party in the Atiwa West constituency.
Giving his welcome address at the forum on Wednesday, October 4, the Chairman for the occasion, Mr. Awuah Dankwa, entreated the teenage girls to focus on their education and desist from engaging in any sexual teenage affairs that will result in pregnancy and have dire consequences for their lives.
“When u look at you, you’re aged between 12 and 17. What we’re here today for, is short but very important.
This programme was organised by your senior brothers and sisters in the Awuah Dankwa Atiwa West Students Association.
They came to inform me about the increase in teenage pregnancies in the district and as true son of this area, I accepted to finance this forum and today we’re here”,
Teenage pregnancy has become very rampant in the area due to the involvement in the escalation the illegal mining, popularity referred to as Galamsey.
A typical example is a school-going – girl in Akyem Akwabuoso, who Mr. Awuah Dankwa had made all preparations through a scholarship to support her further her second cycle education after writing her Basic Education Certificate Examination. The philanthropist visited her place, only to find out that she’s been impregnated.” He added
Speaking to the Republic Press’s Andy Frimpong Manso, Mr. Awuah Dankwa reiterated his comment to make sure school-going girls will be motivated, while the foundation also provides the necessary support for these girls to actualize their dreams.
However, he entreated parents, and the general public to engage in such forums to minimise these social vices that are meted out against teenage girls.
He indicated that his outfit will continue to engage stakeholders, the traditional authorities and the opinion leaders.
The forum was conducted for schools in Kwabeng and Akyem Bomaa sectors.
According to Mr Awuah Dankwa, the issue is a year canker and has to be dealt with significantly.
Mr. Awuah Dankwa Educational Foundation has provided scholarships for over 50 tertiary students, made up of nursing, teacher trainees, technical and university students, to further their education, and senior high school students.
Lawyer Seth Asante, the District Chief Executive for Atiwa West, while coaching the teenage girls, charged them to be very observant and refrain from going to obscene areas where bag gangs will attempt to take advantage of them.
He said the government prioritises girl-child education, and they’re committed to making sure that the country bridges the gap between equal rights for men and women.
He admonished them to take charge of their lives and ensure that they don’t leave behind their focus on education, for it is the only way that will guarantee them a better life in the future.
“I want to urge you to make use of this very forum conducted by the Awuah Dankwa Educational Foundation properly. We are committed to ensuring that we provide equal opportunities for all persons in Ghana, especially in the area of education and that’s why the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has introduced the free senior high school, for it is the only way that grant you a better life”, he said.
The District Health Promotion Officer, Ms. Sandra Brako, further disclosed that teenage pregnancy in the district has increased significantly, making the district a negative hub for unwanted teenage pregnancies.
According to 2021 sub-district reports in the district disclosed during her speech, Abomosu recorded 77 in 2021 and jumped to 80 in 2022, while they recorded a decrease in 2023. She attributed the decrease in these figures in 2023 to cases that were recorded in health centres and CHPS compounds due to victims finding it awful to report themselves to the antenatal unit.
Ekorso recorded 14 in 2021 and 26 in 2022, whereas the figure increased to 43 from January to June 2023. Akropong also recorded 70 in 2021, declined to 39 in 2022, and recorded 24 between January and June 2023.
Akrofufu recorded 33 in 2021 and added 2, bringing the figure to 35 in 2022, whereas 2023 recorded 12 between January and June 2023.
Akyem Awenare recorded 46 in 2021, 42 in 2022, and 26 in 2023. Kwabeng recorded 70 in 2021 and 64 in 2022, while 43 were recorded between January and June 2023.
She expressed her gratitude to Mr. Awuah Dankwa and his educational foundation for taking up such a bold initiative to educate teenage girls and children on the need to abstain from teenage affairs.
The Queen Mother of Akyem Bomaa, Dr. Nana Boatemaa Korama Dampong, who also doubles as a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, pledged her commitment to engage with the Awuah Dankwa Educational Foundation, the traditional authorities, and stakeholders to see how they can modify puberty rites, which can also maintain some decency in the teeming youth.
The Awuah Dankwa Educational Foundation has embarked on many educational, social, and corporate projects in the last three years, having supported many brilliant but needy and less privileged students in the Atiwa West District.
On August 2, 2023, be distributed thousands of educational materials to students who were preparing for their Basic Education Certificate Examination.
