Western Region hit by teenage pregnancy

Mr. Kofi Sefa, Western Regional Information Officer of the Ghana Health Service, has cautioned teenagers along the coastal communities of the Region not to take pride in early child birth.

They should rather concentrate on building a better future for themselves.

He said, the directorate continues to record high figures of teenage pregnancy, a worrying phenomenon among the young girls along the coast.

He said girls as young as 14 to 16 years are getting pregnant.

Mr Sefa was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at a day’s seminar organised by the Marie Stopes International on “Advancing Adolescent and Youth Reproductive Health in the Western Region; the Role of the Mother Figure,” in Takoradi.

He noted that such child-mothers have no sense of shame but rather ridicule women around 20 years who have not given birth in their communities.

Mr Sefa noted that it is time community leaders in particular stand up in the fight against teenage pregnancy.

He advised young girls to associate with good friends, avoid flattering words from men and choose to better their lots through education and discipline.

Mrs Dorcas Sackey, Regional Public Health Nurse called on parents and society at large to break the ice on failing to talk with the girl- child about sex, sexually transmitted diseases and early pregnancy.

She said behavioural patterns acquired in the adolescent stage, has greater influence on later live especially with health care and diseases adding, advancing Adolescent and Youth reproductive health is therefore imperative.

The Public Health Nurse added that the adolescent forms 22 per cent of the population and must therefore be assisted to grow into better and responsible adults.

Mr Raymond Mensah, Zonal Director for Marie Stopes International, Ghana Office said his outfit has established 48 adolescent corners in the Region, 48 school clubs and more than 240 community meetings held to promote adolescent health issues especially in rural communities.

Marie Stopes is international non-governmental organisation working to improve the health needs of women especially in reproductive health, contraceptives and legal/safe abortions.