CNC intensifies education on revival of puberty rites

Betinko (Ash), Sept 9, GNA - The persistent education embarked upon by the Ashanti Regional office of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) since last year on the need to revive puberty rites to help curb teenage pregnancies and HIV/AIDS is yielding results. The campaign has received positive response from the Ejisu and Toase communities where the queen mothers have re-introduced puberty rites.

Nana Kwadwo Sarfo-Kantanka, the Deputy Director of the CNC in-charge of performing arts, said this at a puberty rites programme for eight girls at Betinko in the Ahafo-Ano South District on Thursday. The centre, the district assembly and the queen mother of the town, Nana Ataa Gyasiwaa, organized it.

He expressed regret that puberty rites had been neglected for far too long and appealed to traditional authorities and non-governmental organisations to assist in the revival of the rites to help girls to live decent lives.

Nana Gyasiwaa, the assemblywoman for the area and brain behind the programme, said that the re-introduction of the rites would help reduce the upsurge of teenage pregnancies and the HIV/AIDS. She said the girls were selected from the junior secondary schools in the area and are being prepared with the consent of their parents. The Queen Mother appealed to communities to emulate the example to help young girls lead disciplined lives to enhance their status. Mr Asamoah Damoah, the Deputy District Co-ordinating Director, called on communities and organizations to adopt progressive customary practices to ensure the development of the country.

He praised the initiative and efforts of Nana Gyasiwaa for grooming the girls into adulthood and urged traditional authorities to support the promotion of the country's culture.