Elmina (C/R), Dec. 07, – Queen mothers from the four paramountcies within the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Traditional Area have renewed their commitment to protecting women and children, pledging to intensify efforts to eliminate harmful cultural practices and rising social vices in their communities.
At a stakeholder engagement organised by the Central Regional Department of Gender, the queen mothers vowed to assert their authority more decisively to curb challenges such as child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, drug abuse, defilement, truancy, child labour, and domestic violence.
The meeting follows a training programme held last year by the Department, led by Madam Richlove Amamoo, which equipped the traditional leaders with knowledge on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), harmful cultural practices, adolescent reproductive health, human rights, and provisions of the Children’s Act.
This year’s engagement, supported by UNFPA, assessed how the queen mothers had applied the training, reviewed impact, and examined persistent challenges.
A presentation by the National Population Council revealed alarming statistics: KEEA currently records the highest HIV prevalence in the Central Region, the highest number of basic school pregnancies, and ranks third in child marriage.
These figures heightened concerns among the queen mothers, many of whom raised serious issues including increasing drug abuse—particularly among young girls—petty theft, prostitution, domestic violence, and sexual exploitation.
Madam Richlove Amamoo, Head of the Gender Department, reminded the queen mothers of their crucial moral and cultural authority, urging them to take a more proactive role in community mobilisation, sensitisation, and policy influence.
She condemned child marriage, drug abuse, and all forms of sexual violence, stressing that marital rape is punishable by law under the Domestic Violence Act.
Madam Amamoo encouraged the enactment of strong community by-laws to deter harmful behaviour.
“For instance, you can introduce a by-law against dating schoolgirls in your community, and anyone who violates it must face strict punishment,” she suggested.
However, she expressed frustration over the limited engagement of some queen mothers in monitoring and community outreach.
“Some of you are not active on the field, and that is making the work difficult for us,” she said. “We cannot curb Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the region without strong support from traditional leadership.”
Queen Mothers Share Experiences
Several queen mothers shared experiences and pledged renewed action:
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Nana Efua Badu II (Komenda-Kissi) said mobilising parents had helped reduce teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and truancy.
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Nana Ama Fawomusu I (Elmina) committed to fighting child labour, especially the involvement of children in dangerous fishing activities.
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Nana Abena Asankomaa (Komenda Sefwi) advocated for stiffer community sanctions against offenders.
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Nana Akua Mansa I (Edina Esuekyir) urged authorities to hold trusted figures—such as teachers and pastors—accountable, noting that some were key offenders.
Nana Ama Anowiah II, President of the KEEA Queen Mothers Association, voiced disappointment that their action plan to address high HIV cases in the municipality had stalled due to lack of funding, despite appeals to the Municipal Chief Executive, Member of Parliament, and district directorates.
“The action plan is still valid, and we are appealing for stakeholder support to implement it,” she said.
Calls for Multi-Stakeholder Action
Mr Francis Obeng Takyi, Central Regional Head of the National Population Council, urged the KEEA Municipal Assembly to actively support efforts to address HIV infections, child marriage, and teenage pregnancy.
He noted that the progress of any community was reflected in the wellbeing of its people.
ASP Augustina Quainoo, Shift Commander for Elmina District and Officer-in-Charge of DOVVSU, described rising cases of defilement and rape as “disturbing,” revealing that at least two suspects are arraigned weekly.
She appealed to the queen mothers for stronger collaboration, saying, “The police cannot do it alone; we need the support of traditional authorities.”
GHBUSS
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