Teenage Pregnancy continues to be a challenge in the Eastern region despite efforts by various stakeholders over the years, according to the National Population Council Secretariat report.
The Acting Eastern Regional Population Officer, Mr. Kwasi Obeng in an interaction with the media last Friday in Koforidua said it is an issue of concern and has called on the general public to ensure the menace is controlled.
“The 2017 Mental Health survey indicates that 13% of girls between 15-19 years have begun childbearing in the Eastern Region. The survey again shows that 23.9% of girls have correct knowledge of their fertile period. This means that over 70% of these girls in Ghana do not have correct knowledge of their fertile period” Mr. Obeng explained.
He, therefore, called for further education on sexual and reproductive health issues among adolescent girls to reduce teenage pregnancy and childbearing.
Again, he expressed the need to deal with child marriage, sexual and domestic violence issues within our communities.
Mr. Kwasi Obeng, however, challenged the media to create and maintain awareness on sexual reproductive health needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Madam Juliana Abbeyquaye on her part, urged the media to be circumspect in reporting on issues concerning the welfare of both women and girls.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
