By Maxwell Awumah, GNA
Akatsi (V/R), Dec 4, GNA-Mr Kenneth Kponor, the Volta Regional Director of NCCE, has urged all stakeholders to focus attention on the adolescent as they transition into adulthood.
He said ignoring their deviant behaviour as a result of disobedience would destroy their future development.
Mr Kponor made these disclosures during a major stakeholder engagement to address adolescent pregnancy, family planning, and gender-based violence (GBV) in the Akatsi North district.
The stakeholder engagement was organized by the NCCE in partnership with UNFPA Ghana and funded by Global Affairs Canada under the Empowering Adolescent Girls programme.
He acknowledged the support from UNFPA and funding from Global Affairs Canada for the execution of a series of projects, such as stakeholder engagement, engagement with identifiable groups and communities, radio and community information centre outreaches, among others.
Miss Matilda A. Dorcoo, Public Health Nurse of the Akatsi North Health Directorate, stated that the Akatsi North District was performing poorly in the fight against teenage pregnancy with 11 per cent of pregnancies reported at health facilities in the district among teenagers.
She added that the continuous abuse of emergency contraceptives by children would have a long-term effect on their childbearing in the future.
Miss Dorcoo emphasised that verbal abuse, intimidation, and blackmail were all forms of gender based violence.
She added that until cases of gender based violence were reported, the menace would continue to flourish in the district.
Mr Patrick Ahiabu, the Presiding Member of the Akatsi North District Assembly, encouraged participants to be practical, when advising children on matters of sexual abuse.
He stated that when children were made aware of the alarming statistics of HIV/AIDS cases in the district, and its realities would in a better way, help in the sensitization process.
Mr Ahiabu added that when state institutions were proactive in dealing with cases of gender based violence, the canker would be drastically reduced.
Religious leaders, CSOs, Assembly members, security agencies, youth groups, and district stakeholders participated in the engagement and offered their support for promoting adolescent health, gender equality, and GBV prevention in Akatsi North district.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Christian Akorlie