News:
April 19, 2017
The Member of Parliament for the Bole/Bamboi constituency, Hon Yusif Sulemana has described as unfortunate the decision by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to abolish market tolls on market women including heard porters popularly called “Kayaye’’ calling it a populace approach.
According to him, the decision would rather encourage more under-privileged girls and children of school-going age to venture into the practice.
The MP expressed worry that the 2017 budget statement failed to mention and provide direction about how governments intends to curb the kayaye menace.
According to him in 2014, the erstwhile Mahama led government through the then Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Nana Oye Lithtur presented to Parliament a comprehensive policy on the way-forward to the kayaye menace.
He noted that most girls who were involved in the kayaye trade benefited from the policy which established skills training programmes including dressmaking, hairdressing among others.
Most of the beneficiaries have been reintegrated into their communities with seed capitals to establish themselves into gainful employments.
He stated that the kayaye menace does not only affect the three regions up north but rather a national concern that requires a collective effort to tackle.
The menace he sad exposes children of school-going age to all manner of dangers, creates challenges of teenage pregnancy, exposes girls to rape and other health related challenges such as abortion.
The Bole/Bamboi lawmaker is therefore urged the NPP Government continue with what the NDC government started or initiate new programs targeted at women and children empowerment for the good of society.
In a related development, Hon Usif Sulemana observed that the proposed capping of earmarked funds to statutory bodies through
the Earmarked Funds Capping and Realigment Bill, 2017 would lead to the collapse of most state
institutions.
By Christian Kpesese