Zebilla (UER), April 10, GNA - A junior secondary school (JSS) student from Hariya Junior Secondary School (JSS) at Zebilla, in the Bawku West District preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) has been withdrawn from school by her parents for marriage.

Mr Charles Asamoah, headmaster of the school, who did not disclose the name of the student said, "The student who was about to sit for this year's BECE has been withdrawn by her parents and given up for marriage."

Mr Asamoah was contributing to concerns expressed by participants at the Bawku West District People's Assembly about the manner in which some parents were undermining the Girl-Child Education Programme.

They also expressed concern about the situation where some needy but brilliant students could not further their education due to poverty. The participants also complained about the inaccessible and deplorable roads in rural communities within the District and the lack of speed ramps on the main road within Zebilla Township.

Mr Boniface Gambilla, Upper East Regional Minister, reacting to the withdrawal of the student for marriage said it was wrong for such acts to be perpetrated in the Ghanaian society.

He directed the Upper East Regional Directorate of Education to investigate and institute measures to stop forced marriages. Mr Gambilla appealed to traditional rulers to use their authority to nib such acts in the bud.

On the forum, he said it was introduced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to bring governance to the doorsteps of the people. Mr Gambilla explained that it was also an avenue to take stock, review, and invite public comments on performance of the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies especially with regard to developmental issues and how to improve upon them.

He advised assemblies in the Region to periodically inform the public on developmental projects they had undertaken to create awareness among the people on the government's efforts to improve their standard of living. 10 April 06