International Needs-Ghana, a non-governmental organization (NGO) which seeks to empower and advocate for the Ghanaian youth has petitioned the Central Regional Coordinating Council (CRCC) to assist it eradicate teenage pregnancy and child marriage from the region.

The petition, prior to its submission saw a massive float through the principal streets of Cape Coast, commencing from the Mfantsipim Junction as participates displayed placards to vent their frustration on the alarming rate of teenage pregnancy among other topical issues in the region.

The widely lauded exercise which saw teenage girls and boys converge from various parts of the region to embark on the awe-inspiring activity, equally witnessed organizations like Voice Of Change and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) join the train in participation.

Leader for Voice of Change in the Central Region, Okatakyi Nana Kweku Ackon in handing over their petition, received on behalf of the Central Regional Minister by the Region's Coordinating Council Director, pleaded for the total abolishment of taxations placed on sanitary pads as he appealed to leadership of the country to involve the youth in their decision making which usually turns to affect the younger generation the most.

Ms. Vera Elikem Awuye, Team Leader for International Needs-Ghana speaking to Sompa News Eric Annan after the fruitful event on echoing the motive behind the organized program, said that youths in the country through the exercise seeks to amplify their voice to leadership of the country on compelling issues like child marriage as well as sexual and gender-based violence which seize to disturb their stay in the country.

The Child Protection Officer for UNICEF, Mrs. Joyce Odame in conformity to the plea of International Needs, appealed to the Regional Coordinating Council to have government take prudent measures to help eradicate child marriage and teenage pregnancy from the Central Region to see the youth acquire a better future for themselves.

Source//Sompaonline.com/Eric Annan