According to Nana Ekow Piabo IV, Tufohene of Daboase in the Wassa East District of the Western Region, tricycle riders, popularly known as Aboboyaa and Pragya are the cause of high teenage pregnancy rate in the township.
Nana Ekow Piabo IV speaking on Skyy Power 93.5fm disclosed that, teenage pregnancy is now an issue among the youths in the township and they are trying their best to control it by implementing some bye laws.
However, one of the factors that lead to the high rate teenage pregnancy in the township is poverty, which these tri cycle riders lure young girls in the ages of 12, 13 and 14 years with fast food (Indomie), to have their way with them and will later be seen pregnant.
Speaking to some of leaders of the tri cycle union in Daboase, they denied claims by the chief and made it known members in their association are discipline and have not heard of any complaints and report from the community.
Fredrick Andam, leader of the tri cycle riders group in Daboase said, “I do not agree with rumours that we are responsible for the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the township. Our boys are discipline and they close at exactly 8:00 pm and not what people are saying about us using our tri cycle to convey girls in the evening and bringing them back at dawn.”
Another rider, Edward Duku spoke to Skyy Power 93.5FM saying, “We have not witnessed any incident concerning our members in any of these situations. Maybe it is the underage boys who have been handed with tri cycle that are engaging in these acts.
Moreover, they refuted claims by the Daboase chief about tri cycle riders contributing to high teenage pregnancy rate and challenged him to show proof of his claims.