Several youth residents of the Assin North District of the Central Region are engaging in internet fraud and other dubious means to survive.

This is a result of the unavailability of employment avenues in the area. Teenage pregnancy is also on the ascendency in the district.

Central Regional correspondent Akwasi Addo reports that most young men in the Assin North District especially its capital, Breku are engaged in internet fraud and young females including teenagers getting pregnant.

At a community gathering, the Tufuhene of Assin Breku, Nana Frimpong Baah disapproved of the growing phenomenon and strongly admonished the youth to refrain from such ventures.

But the residents say, the youth are left with no option but to engage in such acts in order to make a living. They explain that though they are worried, there is less they can do. They add that there is a lack of employment opportunities in the area.

Apart from rice and cocoa farming, which according to residents have become less lucrative and even affected by the unavailability of land, there are no immediate jobs for the youth.

In order to help curb the menace and ameliorate the living conditions of residents, a local organization, the Akosua Baako Foundation is embarking on free vocational skills training for youth residents of the area. So far, about 600 persons have been trained and equipped with diverse vocational skills.

The director, Charles Opoku, believes this will help shape the youth and wants government to also assist by helping the beneficiaries in setting up their own businesses.