The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly in the Upper East Region has banned children from nightclubs, pubs, drinking bars and other public places and gatherings reserved for adults.
The move is to address the increasing spate of teenage pregnancy cases in the municipality as well as the high rate of absenteeism among school pupils leading to abysmal performances in examinations, especially in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
In a statement, the assembly said it was concerned about the worrying phenomenon of minors frequenting nightclubs, drinking bars and pubs.
It noted that complaints had been received from the public concerning the negative impact of children actively patronizing and being present at events such as funeral grounds and graduation ceremonies which tend to be all-night affairs.
It said, “These developments were having a very negative impact on school-age children and greatly contributing to the high and increasing teenage pregnancy and truancy among school pupils”.
It explained that the municipal assembly had taken a serious view of the situation and decided to enforce the necessary by-laws to protect the young and upcoming future generations for the benefit of society.
The statement said, “henceforth, minors or children were prohibited from attending night clubs and that owners of night clubs have a responsibility to ensure that no minors attend or are prohibited to hang around their premises”.
It noted further that owners of drinking bars, pubs, restaurants and managers were to ensure that minors were not engaged to serve customers beyond 7 pm, adding that “security personnel would pay surprise visits to enforce these directives by the assembly”.