Sir John Replies Nana Konadu: Blame JJ for high rate of teenage pregnancy

The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie has replied Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings saying former President Jerry John Rawlings should rather be blamed for the high rate of teenage pregnancies and not ex President, John Agyekum Kufuor.

Mr. Owusu Afriyie also known as “Sir John” said the claims by the former first Lady that, the NPP must be held responsible for the high rate of teenage pregnancy cases, saying the statement is inaccurate and is aimed at discrediting the Kufour administration.

Commenting on the centenary anniversary of the International Women’s Day on Tuesday, Mrs. Rawlings accused the Kufour administration of scrapping Religious and Moral Education and Sex Education from the syllabus when they reformed the education sector thereby leading to the moral decay in the youth.

But Lawyer Owusu Afriyie said the youth lost their morals the very day that former President Rawlings staged a coup d’état in Ghana, so the high immorality among the youth is the fruit of the seeds sowed by the former first family.

In related development, the former Minister of Education, Professor Dominic Fobih has also debunked the allegation by Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.

Prof. Fobih explained that Religious and Moral Education and Sex Education was not taken out of the syllabus but a decision was taken that students are not supposed to be examined on those two subjects at the end of term exams but that did not mean that students did not need to be taught the subject.

Professor Dominic Fobih contended that upon a critical analysis, it was realized that the work load  was too much for pupils at the basic level and there was a need to reduce the burden on them.

Professor Fobih said the high teenage pregnancy rate among girls of school going age could be attributed to high level of poverty in the country.

He said government should address the high unemployment problems confronting the nation to enable parents meet their obligations at home.

Story: Francis Hinakwah/Adom News