The Central Regional Minister, Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan has called on traditional leaders to collaborate with stakeholders in reducing the spate of teen pregnancies in the region.

She said a concerted and decisive approach to control the surging menace in the region should be adopted as a matter of urgency to help protect girls to achieve their prospective ambitions.

The Minister made the appeal when she paid separate courtesy calls on the three paramount chiefs in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) District of the Central Region to officially introduce herself and solicit support in transforming the Region.

She stated that parents, traditional and religious leaders must play a lead role in the campaign against teenage pregnancies in local communities to ensure the girls attain their full potentials.

The Minister said the government is ready to help in curbing the menace and, therefore, called for continuous support from opinion leaders and stakeholders in the Region.

She advised parents to monitor the movements of their daughters and endeavour to provide them with their basic needs.

Mrs Assan said teenage pregnancy impeded the growth and development of girls and prevented them from reaching their full potentials.

Professor Okatakyie Amenfi VII, the Omahene of Asebu Traditional Area, pledged his unwavering support to the Minister’s efforts to transform the Region.

"Asebu State is behind you, therefore, call on us anytime you need anything or advice to move the Region forward.“

He called on the government to provide the Asebu State with basic needs such as electricity.

Okakaber Idun Andoh X, the Omanhene of Kwamankese Traditional Area, called on the Ghana Police Service (GPS) to increase security in the area to help weed out drug abuse and alcoholism that was destroying the youth.

He expressed concern about a gang of wee smokers, who were grooming and training the younger ones in the area, and described it as 'very disturbing' and called for an immediate halt of their activities.

Okakaber Andoh X appealed to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to come to their aid as illegal sand winning activities were destroying their farm lands.

He also urged the government to post more health workers to the area to support effective health care delivery.

At the Palace of Nana Nkwefii VIIII, who is the Acting President of  Abura Traditional Area, he appealed to Assembly Members of the AAK District Assembly to set aside their political differences and elect a Presiding Member to help propel the development of the district.

He called on the Minister to intervene for the district to get the needed funds to support the Assembly in executing its work.