Twenty-seven single mothers basket weavers graduate

Yorogo (U/E), Sept. 15, GNA - A traditional ruler of Yorogo in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region, Naba Awuni Azebire Johnson, has bemoaned certain cultural practices in the Frafra area which, he said, had contributed to single motherhood and maiming of children.

Speaking at the passing out ceremony of 27 single mothers of the Yorogo branch of the Single Mother Association (SMA) after a week's training in basket weaving, Naba Azebire mentioned "Yiyen Zeba" (Sister in bed) and "Kupuka" (The engagement of very young girls during funerals) as some of the practices that have contributed greatly to teenage pregnancy, single motherhood and AIDS within the traditional area.

He called on the youth to consider such practices as archaic and shun them.

The Regional Co-ordinating Director Mr George Anaba advised the single mothers to educate their children well to enable them live good lives in future.

He said though times are hard they should seize the opportunity given them by the association, to improve on their the basket weaving so that they could get good price for their products. Madam Stella Abagre, Regional Co-ordinator of SMA, said the association had a membership of 312 in the Bolgatanga District. She said with funding from the German Development Service (DED), the Integrated Human Development Programme of JICA and Action Aid Ghana, the association had reached out to single mothers by providing them with various skills.