The North East Regional Health Directorate has issued a call for collaboration to combat the rising rates of teenage pregnancy in the region, which is among the highest in the country, despite being the smallest and one of the poorest regions.
This alarming trend emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive strategies and support systems to address the challenges faced by young individuals in the area.
In a recent report, the Directorate of Health highlighted a concerning trend regarding teenage pregnancy. While there has been a slight decrease in teenage pregnancy rates over the past few years, the figures remain significantly high.
The data shows that the percentage of recorded teenage pregnancies was 14.99% in 2022, which saw a minor decline to 14.91% in 2023, followed by a further drop to 14.46% in 2024. During a community engagement event on World Women’s Day at Walewale in the West Mamprusi municipality, Madam Joyce Sandow, representing the North East Region Public Health Directorate, expressed her deep concerns about the issue.
She pointed out that teenage pregnancy affects not only individual families but also the broader economic landscape of the country. The negative implications for family stability and economic productivity resonate throughout society, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.
Madam Sandow was very emphatic that the economic impact of teenage pregnancy extends beyond the families involved and presents significant challenges for the nation as a whole.
According to her, by addressing this issue, we can assist individual families while simultaneously contributing to the overall economic development of the country. She added that, empowering young women is essential in combating the challenges of teenage pregnancy and fostering a brighter future. Her call to action underscores the importance of collaboration among all sectors of society to address the root causes of teenage pregnancy.
The statistics reveal that the journey toward a significant reduction in these rates is ongoing, and the collective efforts of the community will be crucial in fostering a healthier future for the young girls in the North East region.
