Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District in the Central Region has an alarmingly high rate of teenage pregnancies, with 576 occurrences reported in 2022.
The figure is the maximum ever registered in any of the Central Region districts.
The 2022 figure is a growth over the 537 cases recorded in 2021.
In 2020, a total of 684 Teenage Pregnancy cases were recorded in the district.
In a speech to the chiefs and residents of Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District, Mrs. Florence Adjei, a public health nurse, stated that drivers and Pragya riders are to blame for teenage pregnancies.
She claimed that after the young girls are impregnated, the drivers and riders refuse to care for them and move on to new girls who become victims.
Even though health professionals in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District are trying their best to address the teen pregnancy issue, more cases continue to be recorded, she said.
Mrs. Florence Adjei recommended guardians prioritize their children’s education and care for them, noting that peer influence, a lack of parental attention, poverty, and broken homes are all significant contributors to teen pregnancies.
The Breman Asikuma Traditional Area’s Queen mother, Nwomaso Nana Asantewaa IV, pledged to work with the other Queen mothers there to inform youths about the dangers of premarital sex, which can result in teenage pregnancy.
She asked parents to cease asking their teenage daughters—whom they are very well aware are not employed for money.
“How can parents especially mothers request money from their twelve-year-old daughter in class six? Where will she get the money? This attitude of some mothers must stop as they put unnecessary pressure on the children.”
Lastly, the Paramount Chief of Breman Asikuma Traditional Area who doubles as the Central Regional House of Chiefs President, Odefour Amoakwa Boadu VIII expressed displeasure over the teenage pregnancy situation and encouraged Queen Mothers in the Traditional Area to educate the masses on Teenage Pregnancy in order to reduce it.
He also urged the Youth to stay away from Aphrodisiacs that boost their sexual drives as they may cause health intricacies.
Odefour Amoakwa Boadu VIII made this call during the celebration of Akwesidae at Breman Asikuma.
Source: Oyerepafmonlineline.com
