Schoolchildren in Kyebi Ahenbronmu electoral area in the East Akim Municipality of the Eastern region have been banned from watching television series Kunkum Bhagya.

The Indian telenovela, which is aired on Adom TV from Monday to Friday every week, has got both young and old people hooked.

The Assembly member for the area, Kwame Asiedu Bekoe, said children in the community have taken to watching the night TV programme at the expense of their books and “this is affecting their academic performance”.

He noted that Kunkum Bhagya was for adults only, hence, the ban.

“When I take a walk at night, I see scores of children of school age gathered in front of stores and shops watching Kunkum Bhagya. Mothers come to my house to complain about how their children are hooked to the programme. Teachers have also complained of children not doing their homework. Now, I have taken it upon myself to whip every child I see watching KunKum Bhagya. I am always with my cane to ensure that these children read their books because we cannot watch our children drop out of school all in the name of Kunkum Bhagya, besides the programme is for adults and not schoolchildren”, he said.