U/W Minister condemns customs against women

Fielmua (U/W), Jan 3, GNA - Mr. Ambrose Dery, the Upper West Regional Minister, on Wednesday attributed the high rate of infant mortality in the region to bad customary practices that deny pregnant women and children certain kinds of nourishing food. He said meat and eggs are denied women and children in most communities in the region. "Ironically, they need these products to ensure proper growth to reduce infant mortality from the current figure of 208 deaths out of every 1000 births - the highest in the country."

Mr Dery said this at Fielmua in the Sissala West District during their annual Kukru Bagr festival that is celebrated to thank God for good harvest and to further pray for subsequent good yields. He urged people of the region to use youth associations, festivals and other important occasions to educate their people on the need to stay away from customs and practices that were inimical to human development in the region. "It is unacceptable for men to feed very well on eggs and meat while women and children who really need these for their growth and development are denied." He said children were the wealth of the nation and for them to be denied their basic needs for development was not only irresponsible but also criminal and urged health workers to step up their educational programmes on good nutrition.

Mr. Ishmael Mada, the Sissala West District Chief Executive, said 155 people have been employed under the Youth in Employment Programme and out this number 70 are pupil teachers, 60 auxiliary health assistants and 25 sanitation and waste management staff. He appealed to the people to avoid ritual bush burning because it is affecting farming and served as an impediment to environmental development. Mr. Mahama Bayiriga, Member of Parliament for Sissala West, called on the youth to eschew their party affiliations and forge ahead for the betterment of the area in the coming years. Mr. Joe Sylo, Chairman of Fielmua Area Development Association appealed to the government to provide the area with more teachers, school blocks, staff for health centers in the area and potable water.