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MPs Fight Rape

By Daily Guide
General News The school children acting a play
MAY 8, 2018 LISTEN
The school children acting a play

A public forum has been organized by the Standing Committee of Parliament on Gender, Children and Social Protection at Assin Asamankese in the Assin South District of the Central Region to sensitise people on how to reduce rape and teenage pregnancy, which are affecting the education of the girl-child in the district.

The forum, attended by a number of prominent chiefs and queen mothers in the district, as well as parents and children, was occasioned by the high incidence of rape, sexual molestation and teenage pregnancy in the area.

Speaking at the function, chairman of the Committee on Gender, Children and Social Protection and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Atwima Kwanwoma, Dr Kojo Appiah-Kubi, said the rising incidence of rape cases and high teenage pregnancy rate are not only negatively affecting the development of girl-children, but also the good image of the district.

He said members of the committee are concerned about that social problem in the district and that was the reason why they decided to hold the public forum to educate the citizenry and find a way of collaborating with chiefs, queen mothers, as well as opinion leaders to stop the canker.

He said parents have a major responsibility to ensure that their children are protected against these vices.

He also told the participants not to interfere with the work of the police when these crimes are reported to them.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Derrick Owusu-Ambrose, said the high incidence of rape in the district had given the district a very bad image, and advised against the crime.

The paramount queen mother of Assin Atandansu Traditional Area, Nana Abena Gyamfua II, appealed to MPs to change the law that makes it legally acceptable for teenage girls of 16 years to have sex with adults with their (girls') consent.

She proposed that the age of consent to sex by 16-year-old girls must be changed to 18 years since that is the legal age one can be allowed to vote in general elections.

School-children from the town beautifully acted a play to draw the attention of all parents gathered to irresponsible parenting and its effect on teenage girls.

From Thomas Fosu Jnr, Assin Asamankese

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