Enact law to freeze salaries of irresponsible parents — Okyenhene

The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has advocated the enactment of a law to freeze salaries of parents who neglect their wards or children.

Such a law, he stated, must also cover parents who shun their children or wards in all aspects of life. The Okyenhene made the call when he addressed chiefs and people of Akyem Abuakwa to mark this year's Ohum Kan Festival at Kyebi in the Eastern Region last Saturday.

This year's Ohumkan festival coincided with Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin's 25th Anniversary on his ascension to the Ofori Panin Stool. He said it was worrying that parents should shirk their responsibilities towards their children and all others in their care. 

Frozen salaries 

The Akyem Abuakwa Overlord suggested that the frozen salaries should be used by the state to take care of such unfortunate children and wards’ upkeep, particularly their education.

According to the Okyenhene, the state in using such frozen salaries to cater for their dependents would compel such parents to live up to expectations by taking good care of their children and others entrusted in their care.

He indicated that if that was not done such unfortunate children and wards would grow to become vagabonds, to the detriment of society. “You give birth in your community and abscond to a different town to work without providing the needs of your children.” 

"This is irresponsible. The state should freeze your salaries, whatever you earn, and use it to take care of the children.”

Abandoned children

"You will work but your salary should be used to take care of the children you have abandoned," Okyenhene stated. The Okyenhene therefore called on parents to be responsible and ensure the welfare and safety of their children in order to create a safer and peaceful community.

He added that the young children who had been left to their fate on the street may return one day to torment the elite if care was not taken. The Okyenhene explained that the neglected children would grow and one day attack their parents.

With regard to unpatriotic conduct of some teaching and non-teaching staff in the various senior high schools, he called on such staff to mend their ways or face the full rigours of the law.

That, he said, was because such malpractices had been sabotaging the free SHS policy.

Stolen food items

Okyenhene recalled a situation in Kyebi where a staff stole food items meant for schoolchildren and mentioned that such people must be named and shamed.

"Some teaching and non-teaching staff have the penchant for stealing food items meant for the feeding of students and they must change their ways or be punished by the law", the Okyenhene told the gathering.

Drug abuse

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who called on Ghanaians to rekindle the spirit of patriotism and love for the country, advised the youth to desist from drug abuse such as the consumption of tramadol and other harmful substances and adopt a decent lifestyle.

He urged the police to arrest drug peddlers and pushers to be prosecuted since their activities had severe consequences on the development of the youth.

Writer's email:haruna.wunpini@graphic.com.gh