Nana Boakye Ameyaw Pemtemprem, the Aduan, Techiman Nifahene in the Bono East region, has attributed the increase in teenage pregnancy and abortion cases in Ghana to the influence of Western culture. He was speaking during the annual yam festival celebration at Aduana Palace. Nana Boakye expressed deep concern over the social challenges facing young girls in the community.
He revealed that 5 per cent of girls aged 13 to 19 become pregnant in some rural communities, while 0.5 per cent of them resort to abortion. These alarming statistics have contributed significantly to school dropouts among teenage girls, affecting their prospects and the community’s development in the near future.
Nana Boakye condemned the Western cultural influences, which he believes have eroded the traditional values that once protected young girls in the Bragro area. “In the past, it was a taboo for a girl to get pregnant without undergoing certain cultural rites and processes,” he stated. This cultural safeguard helped maintain discipline and respect within families and the community.
He pleaded with government authorities and community leaders to revisit and reinforce these traditional practices as a way to curb the rising menace of teenage pregnancy and abortion. Nana Boakye emphasised the need to revive the respect for cultural values that discouraged premarital pregnancy and supported proper upbringing.
In his address to parents, Nana Boakye appealed for greater focus on their children’s education rather than prioritising expensive funeral arrangements and clothing. He stressed that the education of the youth should be a paramount concern, as it is key to long-term community development and resilience. He also condemned the insults on social media, radio, TV, and public gatherings as unfortunate and said they should be stopped.
The Yam Festival is a significant cultural event, provides a platform for this important message. Nana Boakye’s call for a return to traditional values highlights the community’s desire to address modern social problems through cultural revival and collective responsibility.
Community members have welcomed the call, expressing hope that rekindling respect for traditional norms will help reduce teenage pregnancies, abortions, and school dropouts, thereby securing a better future for the youth.
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