Volta Region declares war on teenage pregnancy

Health Authorities in the Volta Region have declared war on teenage pregnancy as the phenomenon is fast becoming a major source of worry for the Health Service in the region.

About 15.1% of antenatal attendants were teenagers under the age of 19 in the year 2015. This represents an almost one percent rise in the figures of 2014from the preceding year 2014 when 14.5% was recorded.

What is more worrying about the situation is that 301 girls between the ages of 10 and 14 were pregnant in the period under review.

While the Highest percentage of 23.2% of teenage pregnancy was recorded in the Adaklu District, the Ho Municipality recorded 11.2%.

Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Joseph Teye Nuertey said the situation cannot be left unattended to.

He said but for the assistance of Marie Stopes International – a non-governmental organisation providing contraception and safe abortion services to countries around the world – the numbers would have been even higher.

The situation has become a major headache for the Director who asked residents during a Regional Health Performance review in Ho to, “join him declare war on the phenomenon.”

He is calling on all stakeholders including NGOs, Civil Society, Chiefs and community leaders to put their shoulders to the wheel to nib the situation in the bud.

“I wish to call on civil society, community-based organisations, opinion leaders, chiefs and queen mothers to come out with activities and by-laws to deal with this social challenge.

“I want to remind all men that it is against the law to have sex or to have canal knowledge of any girl child below the age 16,” he added.

He called on authorities to deal with all men who engage in these unlawful activities.