Over five thousand teenage pregnancies recorded in the Central Region

Five thousand one hundred and six (5106) teenage pregnancies were recorded in the Central region between July and December 2016 according to the social welfare department.

Of the total, 430 were recorded among females aged between 13 and 15, while the remaining 4682 pregnancies were recorded among females aged between 16 and 19.

According to the Member of Parliament for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem constituency in the Central region, Samuel Atta Mills, stringent measures must be employed to arrest the menace as the teenage girls mostly end up discontinuing their education.

The measures, he explains should include education, imposition of fines of male offenders as well as prosecution.

Speaking to Starr News’ Central regional correspondent Kwaku Baah-Acheamfour, the KEEA MP called for stiffer punishments for teachers who impregnate the teenagers who are mostly students under their care.

Mere dismissals from the profession, he added isn’t enough deterrent in protecting the future of such girls.

Teachers, he added should be worthy role models for the students under their care and should not be seen as those abusing the kids .

“A teacher sleeping with his student is like a police officer who is an armed robber. That is evil,” Hon. Mills stated.

He also admonished other adults who engage in those illicit sexual activities with the girls to put a stop to it as not only is it immoral but also unhealthy for the future of such girls.