Divert salaries of irresponsible parents to their wards - Okyenhene

Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin is advocating for a law that will freeze the salaries of parents who have deserted their wards and shunned their parenting responsibilities.

He said the frozen salary should be used by the state to take care of the children's education and upkeep.

According to Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, if the state can put an embargo on such a class of parents, it will awaken the spirit of responsible parenting and reduce the menace of streetism.

Speaking at the 2024 Ohum Kan Festival durbar in Kyebi, Okyenhene expressed worries about parents who neglect their children after birth.

"You give birth in your community and abscond to a different town to work without providing for your children. That is irresponsible. The state should be able to freeze your salary, or whatever you earn, and use it to take care of the child. You will work, but your salary will go to the children you have deserted," he said.

The Okyenhene called on parents to be responsible and ensure the welfare and safety of their children in order to create a safer and more peaceful community.

He added that the young children who have been left to their fate on the street may return one day to torment the elite if care is not taken.

Touching on the need to be patriotic and responsible, the Okyenhene hinted at reports of some teaching and non-teaching staff at various senior high schools deliberately sabotaging the free SHS policy.

He mentioned that some staff have developed a penchant for stealing food items meant for the schoolchildren.

He cited a situation in Kyebi where a staff member stole food items meant for the schoolchildren.

"The state is struggling to ensure that every Ghanaian child gets some basic education for free. You steal food items meant for these innocent children and create a shortage of food in the schools. Then you have the guts to video the food being served at the school and make a mockery of its quality. Have you forgotten you stole the stuff? You don't have shame," he added.

He called on Ghanaians to rekindle the spirit of patriotism and love for the country.

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin admonished the youth to desist from drug abuse and live a befitting lifestyle.

"They say there is one called tramadol or something; they take it and become sober. It's not good; you must desist from drug abuse in all its forms. The nation needs you," Okyenhene remarked.

The Okyenhene wants the police to aggressively go after drug pushers and prosecute them since their activities have severe consequences for youth and even the elderly.

This year's Ohum festival coincides with Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin's 25th anniversary celebration.

The Ohum festival reflects the core Akan belief in the unity of life of the dead, the living, and the unborn.

The symbolic essence, the principle of balance, moderation, and regeneration, is an immeasurable contribution to the struggle for ecological integrity as a prerequisite for the sustenance of humanity.

The two weeks' observance of no-drumming and no-digging of the earth is to provide a solemn condition for deep reflection on the challenges of the past, the condition of the present, and the plans for a rehabilitated future.

Symbolically, it is marked by the observance of the regeneration of the Mmerekensono tree, i.e., the petiole growing at the banks of the Birim River, symbolizing the unity of life and ecological integrity and harmony.