By: Yvonne Atilego
The Resident Representative of UNFPA, Niyi Ojuolape has decried the spate of teenage pregnancy in Ghana.
According to him, it is unacceptable to have more than 555,000 children getting pregnant before the age of 19 as indicated in the Ghana Health Service 2020 data.
Mr Ojuolape who was speaking on the occasion of the 2021 International Day of the Girl Child at Akwamufie at Akosombo in the Eastern Region charged Queen Mothers across the country to look for innovative ways to intensify efforts at reducing teenage pregnancy cases in their jurisdiction.
He said, ”the adolescent period exposes girls to so many vices, hence the need to come up with ways to prevent incidents of children from bringing up children”.
Deputy Representative of UNFPA, Dr Agnes Kayitankore said teenage pregnancy is a major cause of school dropouts among girls and limits their potential.
She urged traditional rulers to stop shielding men who impregnate children under 16 years and report them to serve as a deterrent.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of Obaapa Development Foundation, and Nkosuohemaa of the Afigya Kwabre Community, Obaapa Adwoa Ankyaa, urged her colleague queen mothers to engage members of the community and advised them to also create ”safe places”, where adolescents can confidently go for counselling in case they encounter challenges.
