Akatsi north: Mr. Christoph Atiavor, the Public Health Nurse for Akatsi North District, has voiced concerns over the ongoing issue of teenage pregnancy in the district. This concern arises even amidst the progress noted in recent years due to various public health interventions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Atiavor addressed these issues during a community engagement program organized by the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG). The event, held under the aegis of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-funded 'Voices and Choices' adolescent empowerment initiative, took place in Ave-Dakpa and Posmonu, both located in the Akatsi North District of the Volta Region.
Mr. Atiavor highlighted the timeliness of the sensitization, especially during festive periods when young people may engage in risky sexual activities. He revealed that the district recorded 37 teenage pregnancies in the first half of the year. While this figure indicates some progress compared to previous years, he emphasized that the situation remains troubling, necessitating continuous community action.
He pointed out that interventions like the current program have contributed to reducing teenage pregnancies in the area. However, he stressed the need for ongoing education and robust family support systems to safeguard adolescent girls. Peer pressure, insufficient parental guidance, lack of knowledge about menstrual health, and curiosity among young girls were identified as significant factors driving adolescent pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections in the district.
Mr. Atiavor called on parents to be actively involved in their daughters' lives, highlighting the importance of good parenting and open communication as essential tools in preventing risky behavior. He also appealed to community leaders, educators, religious bodies, and development partners to maintain their support for adolescent health initiatives to enhance community protection for children.
The participants of the program praised the health education, describing it as enlightening and impactful. The engagement, backed by PPAG and UNFPA, gathered parents, youth leaders, and health workers to discuss sexual and reproductive health, teenage pregnancy, responsible parenting, and adolescent protection.
The community expressed hope that well-informed and healthier adolescents would positively influence education, community development, and national progress.