About 40 per cent of pupils in the Akatsi-North District, of the Volta region are said to be fending for themselves, as parental responsibility continue to wane in the area.

The pupils especially girls are, therefore, forced to sell their labour, leading to skipping of school particularly on market days to help cater for themselves.

Miss Augustina Modzaka, District Girl-Child Education Officer, said this in an interview with Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of the launch of a novelty annual Akatsi North District Girl- Child Education week by the Assembly at Ave-Dakpa.

She said the high teenage pregnancy rate and poor Basic Education Certificate Examination results could be linked to the problem.

“The issue is a worry to the authorities and gender activities because we cannot go along this path and there must be a break somewhere and parents and family members must sit up,” Miss Modzaka said.

She advised the girls to strive to overcome peer pressure and to report men putting pressures on them to the schools authorities.

Deserving pupils and circuits were awarded for a district spelling competition among girls as part of the celebrations.

Mr James Gunu, District Chief Executive (DCE), complained about the challenges school going girls face in the area.

He asked the pupils to be disciplined and avoid wasteful and dangerous lifestyles.

He said in addition to the Week, the Assembly had also established a Girl- Child Desk with a budget.

The DCE said Girls Clubs had been formed in most schools to help promote the education of girls.

Mr Gunu told the girls that scholarships are available for them to enroll in teacher and nursing training colleges and to return to serve after graduation.