Ashanti Region records low teenage pregnancies - GHS

The Regional Reproductive and Child Health Unit of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has disclosed that the Ashanti region recorded low adolescent pregnancies of 9,870 in the first quarter of 2015.

According to the Unit, this record indicates that adolescents in the various schools and communities are well educated on the dangers associated with premarital sex.

Speaking to Ultimate news, the Head of Reproductive Health and Child Unit, Mr. Ebenezer Amankwah explained that the figures are relatively low compared to 2014’s figure.

‘In 2012 we recorded 2,720 which represented 12% of all pregnancies, 2013 we recorded 21,213 pregnancies representing 13% and 2014 20,390, 12.6% of adolescents pregnancies. From January to the end of June this year, we recorded 9,870 for the 2015 quarter year,’ he disclosed.

This down trend, Mr. Amankwah attributes to the adolescent health clubs set up in various Senior High Schools (SHS) across the region aimed at educating students on improving their life skills and behavioural change.

‘We try to form adolescent clubs in SHS’s, so far 15 schools have joined the club this year, we have been educating the youth to stay out of premarital sex,’ he said.

According to him, concepts such as ‘B)bra pa’ introduced in rural communities with the aim of educating adolescents who are out of schools is also yielding results.

He added that queen mothers and chiefs meet with these young girls to educate them on premarital sex and the need to stay out of sex.