Odumase Krobo (ER), Oct. 26, GNA - The Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC), has commended the Manya Krobo Traditional Council for creating a Women's Day, as a platform to help womenfolk in the area address constraints that militate against their development and progress.

The Ministry urged the Council to also get involved in issues such as the incidence of teenage pregnancy, since if not checked, the situation could spurn the successes being chalked by the Council in other areas.

A Deputy Minister at the Women's Ministry, Mr J. B. Danquah Adu, who made the remarks, also called on women organizations to be concerned with the soaring rate of teenage pregnancy in the country. Mr Danquah Adu was addressing scores of women at the second celebration of 'Yokama' or Virtuous Women, a special day for women incorporated by the Manya Krobo Traditional Council last year, into the annual Ngmayem festival to serve as a platform to address issues affecting women at Odumase Krobo on Saturday.

Touching on the soaring incidence of teenage pregnancy in the country, Mr Adu said it was unacceptable that, of every seven pregnancies recorded in the country, at least one included a minor. He warned that such trend, if allowed to continue, would most likely negate the gains being chalked by women groups in other fields in their march towards total liberation from the cultural yoke, which they had been subjected to over the ages and urged all to join in the crusade.

Mr Danquah Adu praised the Manya Krobo Queenmothers Association for its proactive response to the HIV/AIDS in the area and championing the cause of women and pledged the support his Ministry. The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North urged traditional authorities to help assist in finding solutions to the myriad of problems that affect women such demystifying the honour usually associated with the abuse and subjugation of women. The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Miss Susana Mensah, also commended Queen of Manya, Manye-Ngua Mamle Okleyo, for her invaluable contribution towards the development of women in the area. She was credited for her special interest in the welfare of women and children in an award conferred on her by the Konor of Manya, Nene Sakite.