Regional News of Wednesday, 23 February 2005

Source: GNA

CHRAJ Research into consequences of Teenage pregnancies

Kade, Feb. 23, GNA - Research by the Kwaebibirem District Directorate of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) had revealed that the recent high incidence of teenage pregnancies in the area was due to the inability of parents to provide the needs of their daughters.

The research attributed the situation on early marriages among some ethnic groups, broken homes and lack of effective parental control over children.

The District Director of the CHRAJ, Mr William Osafo-Offinam, who announced this at a news briefing at Kade on Monday, said lack of education on sex issues, the influence of peer groups, the craze for material things and exposure of teenagers to pornographic films among others were also responsible for adolescent pregnancies.

He said the consequences on early pregnancy and childbirth was that, it restricted future opportunities for socio-economic advancement. Mr Osafo-Offinam therefore, called on district assemblies, non-governmental organizations, stakeholders and those who had the welfare and development of the girl-child at heart, to liaise and co-operate with the Commission to help curb the menace from society.