C/R: Rape on the rise in Awutu Senya East Municipality

Awutu Senya East Municipal (ASEMA) Director of Education, Samuel Bortey, has said that the biggest challenge in the Municipality is fathers raping their daughters.

He said in some cases, the men also rape their domestic workers.

Mr. Bortey who disclosed this at a social audit programme at Kasoa in the Central Region said some men also sexually assault girls in cars.

He said sometimes when girl report to their mothers, for fear of stigmatisation, they only shout on them to keep quiet or threaten to punish them.

Mr. Bortey said that all rape and sexual assault affect the performance of children in schools and called on stakeholders, including Assemblymen and religious bodies to intervene.

The programme which was organised by the ASEMA and the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) to create awareness on the need for citizens to demand accountability from their leaders.

The national programme is being sponsored by the European Union.

On the forthcoming BECE and WASSCE, Mr Bortey said Odupong Senior High School would be writing for the first time and all preparations are advanced to ensure a successful examination.

He said the Directorate had put in measures to ensure that students perform creditably.

The Municipal Director said for the first time, the students are writing three mock examinations to prepare them adequately for the final exam.

Mr Bortey expressed his gratitude the ASEMA for its continuous support for the education sector in the Municipality.

Mrs Mary N. Ankrah, the Municipal Director of NCCE, said the programme was to educate the nation to identify things affecting the citizenry, especially in the area of education, health, road and sanitation.

She said citizens have the responsibility to assist the Assemblies and duty bearers to achieve developmental goals.

“For example, we all have a duty to support our Assemblies to keep our environment clean,” she said and called for attitudinal change towards sanitation to improve the health of the people.

Participants called on religious bodies to assist in educating the public through the pulpit on sanitation issues and benefits.

They also urged the Assembly and all stakeholders in education to reintroduce Girls’ Camping for school children to serve as a platform to educate them on their rights to curb abuses.

 

Source: GNA