Three hundred and twenty one (321) teenage pregnancy cases were recorded in the Asuogyaman District in Eastern region in 2021.
The teenage girls were between 10 to 19 years.
The Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman Thomas Ampem Nyarko is alarmed by the situation.
He has therefore called on the Domestic Violence and Victims support unit (DOVVSU) of Ghana Police Service to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.
He said punitive measures must be meted out especially to those involved in impregnating minors to serve as deterrent.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker is urging traditional and community leaders to augment government’s effort in creating awareness on sexual abstinence and also institute measures to help curb the menace .
The MP said this at a durbar to welcome the first Vice-President of Costa Rica, H.E Epsy Campbell Barr and UNFPA’s executive director, Dr. Natalia Kanem, who paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene of Akwamu, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III at the Bogyawe Palace,Akwamufie.
The MP stated that as part of effort to economically empower the unemployed youth , he has initiated Thomas Ampem Nyarko Skill Development and Youth Empowerment Program (TANSDYEP) to provide vocational training to the youth in the Constituency and provide them startup .
He said hundreds of youth in the Constituency have benefited from learning various skills in sewing ,hairdressing ,carpentry ,welding ,makeup ,pedicure and driving since the initiative years ago.
All beneficiaries were given startups including equipment such as sewing and hair dryer machines,and cash .
“recently ,9 persons passed out from learning driving .They were all provided drivers license .so these are some of the interventions as a member of Parliament ,I am rolling out to help in addition to the investment in education ,health, safe water provision, among others”. He said
Source : Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah