By James Esuon, GNA
Kokoso (C/R), Nov. 07, GNA – Nana Esi Ninsin VIII, Nyimfahemaa of the Ekumfi Traditional Area, has called on non-governmental organisations (NGOs), development partners and other stakeholders to increase support for the education, protection and development of the male child.
She said the needs of the boy-child had been overlooked for far too long and stressed the need for development partners to extend to boys the same level of attention and support that had been given to girls over the years.
According to her, many boys in rural communities were suffering from parental neglect and lacked access to basic necessities, a situation that often forced them to absent themselves from school or drop out altogether.
Nana Ninsin, who is also the Odzikrohemaa of Ekumfi Ekrawfo, made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after organising a breast cancer and menstrual hygiene education programme for school girls at Breman Kokoso in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District of the Central Region.
She acknowledged the Government’s efforts in supporting the education of boys but said additional assistance from development partners would help sustain and improve educational outcomes among male children, particularly in rural areas.
The Nyimfahemaa observed that cases involving the abuse of girls often received swift attention from government institutions, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders, unlike those involving boys.
She, therefore, called for equal treatment and protection for both boys and girls to promote inclusive human development.
Nana Ninsin said while the girl-child had benefited from significant interventions over the years, there was the need to adopt measures that would ensure boys in deprived communities also received adequate support and opportunities.
She also expressed concern about the increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy among school girls in the area and urged stakeholders in education and child protection to implement practical measures to address the challenge.
According to her, investigations conducted within the area indicated that some commercial motorcycle riders, adult men, schoolboys and, in some cases, teachers were responsible for impregnating schoolgirls after luring them with money (GHS10) and other material support.
She called for stiffer punishment for perpetrators whose actions had disrupted the education and future prospects of many girls.
The Queenmother further urged parents, especially fathers, to take greater responsibility for the welfare of their children and provide their basic needs.
She said parental neglect remained one of the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy and school dropout among girls.
Nana Ninsin advised schoolgirls to abstain from sexual activities and focus on their education, citing the famous words of Dr James Kwegyir Aggrey: “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
She noted that the Government and development partners had created numerous educational opportunities for girls and encouraged them to take advantage of such opportunities to pursue higher education.
Nana Ninsin commended the Akoben Royal Foundation, an advocacy group focused on girl-child education, development and protection, for organising the breast cancer and menstrual hygiene awareness programme.
She said such initiatives were crucial in equipping young girls with knowledge about breast cancer prevention and menstrual health management.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Lydia Kukua Asamoah