The Bono Region has reported a staggering 14,877 teenage pregnancies between 2021 and 2024. Apexnewsgh reports
These figures were shared by Rita Adjoa Ansong, the Deputy Director of Nursing Services (Public Health) at the Bono Regional Directorate of Health, during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Sunyani. This event was part of the activities marking the African Vaccination Week (AVW) and the Child Health Promotion Week (CHPW), both organized by the health directorate.
During her presentation, Miss Ansong provided a detailed breakdown of the alarming statistics. In 2021, there were 3,999 recorded teenage pregnancies and 388 cases of abortion. The following year, 2022, saw 4,058 pregnancies and 351 abortions. In 2023, the numbers were slightly lower, with 3,492 pregnancies and 217 abortions. However, 2024 showed little improvement, with 3,328 pregnancies and 282 abortions reported to date.
Describing the teenage pregnancy situation as “worrying,” Miss Ansong emphasized the urgent need for stakeholders to enhance Family Planning (FP) coverage among sexually active teenagers in the region. “Family planning empowers girls to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health,” she explained, highlighting its importance in enabling girls to continue their education and avoid unintended pregnancies.
Miss Ansong identified several barriers to accessing family planning services, including prevalent myths and misconceptions, a lack of community support, and outdated cultural and religious beliefs. She noted that in 2024, regional family planning coverage reached 39.58% of the expected target group—women and girls of reproductive age—up from 36.45% in 2023. This improvement was seen as a positive sign, attributed to increased partner collaborations, a consistent supply of family planning commodities, and the re-registration of users of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods.
Furthermore, organizations such as Marie Stopes, DKT, and the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) contributed to this increase by providing free commodities, thus making family planning more accessible to the local population.
Emphasizing the broader implications, Miss Ansong stated that effective family planning not only helps prevent unintended pregnancies but also leads to healthier pregnancies and a reduction in maternal deaths. She urged all stakeholders and the media to actively engage in raising awareness and dismantling the barriers that hinder access to family planning services.
Earlier in the meeting, Dr. Prince Quarshie, the Deputy Director of Public Health, explained that the gathering’s primary goal was to raise awareness about the significance of immunization and comprehensive child health services across the nation. He highlighted that the forums are essential for strengthening collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, development partners, community leaders, health professionals, and the media.
Celebrated annually during the last week of April, African Vaccination Week (AVW) aims to promote immunization as a vital lifesaving intervention, an initiative established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010. Additionally, the Child Health Promotion Week (CHPW), initiated by the Ministry of Health in 2004, focuses on nutrition, immunization, and preventive care for children under five, observed from May 5 to May 9 each year.
As the Bono Region confronts these pressing challenges, the call for increased awareness and action could not be more urgent, aiming for a healthier future for both the youth and the community at large.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
