Nkoranza (B/A) June 15, GNA - Canon Peter Kwadwo Sakyi, Nkoranza District Minister of the Anglican Church, has called for the revival of puberty rites (bragoro) to help check against pre-marital sex and teenage pregnancies.

He said the practice could be modified to eliminate the exposure of the breasts of girls and other sensitive parts. The Anglican priest made the call when he addressed a meeting of queenmothers of the Nkoranza Traditional Area at the weekend, which was a prelude to the formation of a local Queenmothers Association. Canon Sakyi expressed concern about the high moral decadence among the youth and emphasised that puberty rites encourage girls to abstain from sex until they become adults and get married. He advised the queenmothers to educate women in their localities to support their husbands to raise their children so that they would grow to become responsible adults.

Canon Sakyi asked the Queenmothers to collaborate with their local chiefs to organise the people to complete development programmes in order to improve the living standards of the people. He deplored the practice of some queenmothers who conspire with malcontents in their communities to rebel against chiefs, thereby creating disputes and instability, which inadvertently affect development. "Such practices should not be encouraged", he said and emphasised that the chieftaincy institution was ordained by God, meaning chiefs and queenmothers were God's specially chosen persons entrusted with the responsibility of taking care and control of His creation. He advised chiefs to respect the views and opinions of queenmothers and regard them as equal partners in development. The Anglican priest urged traditional rulers to live above reproach and to respect their subjects to win their trust, support and encouragement to ensure successful governance. In an address read on her behalf, Nana Yaa Dudaa Kani, Queenmother of the traditional Area, urged her colleagues to help improve the low level of women education in their communities. She advised the youth; especially girls, to shun pre-marital sex and rather take their education seriously in order to become responsible women.

A 13-member executive of the new association was elected into office with Nana Yaa Dudaa Kani as President, her Linguist Nana Akosua Ammea as Vice President, Nana Owusuaa Ayiwa, Secretary and Nana Amma Pokuaa, Assistant Secretary. The others are, Nana Kokoraa Nyarko, Organising Secretary, Nana Yaa Amponsaa, Assistant Organising Secretary, Nana Afia Kwaa, Treasurer and Nana Adwoa Sarpomaa, Financial Secretary. Nana Adwoa Suaa would serve as the queens' representative for Kintampo North, Nana Abena Baagyei for Kintampo South, Nana Adwoa Baabea for Nkoranza North and Nana Fosua Dianwoma for Nkoranza South.