A Youth Resource and Empowerment Centers being constructed by Ark Development Organization (ADO) with funding support from Australia High Commission in Ghana to address alarming teenage pregnancy and Poor performance of pupils in ICT in Ayensuano District in Eastern region has stalled due to shortage of funds owing to high inflation which has thrown the budget out of gear but the funding partners are reluctant to shore up the additional funds.
The multipurpose projects being constructed at Kraboa Coaltar and three other communities (yet to commence) contain adolescent corner, library, ICT center among others.
The project when completed will provide safe learning environment for school children particularly girls in the District.
Data available at the Directorate of Health, indicates 400, 317, and 360 teenage pregnancies were recorded in 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively making it one of the districts in Eastern region with highest teenage pregnancy cases.
The Executive Director of Ark Development Organization,the NGO executing the project is saddened that the Ayensuano District Assembly and the Member of Parliament Nana Yaw Teddy have not shown realistic commitment to help the completion of the project at Kraboa which has been roofed.
He explained that the project is self-help project which the community provided documented commitment to support with manpower and labour however after few support at the initial stages of the project ,the community has laid back.
” The community listed about 80 artisans including masons ,tillers,electricians that will support the execution of the project voluntarily however whenever they come they demand money which is not part of the budget so they don’t come again. I personally have been carrying bricks and mortar for construction of the project.The community is not helping the DCE and the MP are not showing interest to help. But this is a proje t to help the community address their ICT needs and support the young girls to curb high teenage pregnancy”
Headteacher of Kraboa Methodist JHS Julius Akonor Oware said the completion of the resource center will help improve ICT and reduce teenage pregnancy.
He therefore added his voice to calls for more donations to help complete the project.
The Queenmother of Coaltar ,Nana Afua Asiedua III lots of efforts have been made in combatting high teenage pregnancy in the district stating that completion of the Youth Resource and Empowerment Centers will provide save haven for girls in the area to learn.
“Teenage pregnancy is high here we have done our best enacted by-laws ,engaged the youth among others but this project is dear to sustaining the gains by providing safe place for the girls to learn instead of going to men so we are calling on all citizens of Ayensuano to come to the aide of the NGO to complete the project..Mark Okraku Mante ,Hon Teddy, hon DCE ,and all others “
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
