In the West Mamprusi Municipality of Ghana’s North East Region, a surge in teenage pregnancy is forcing many children, especially girls, to leave school. Local authorities are concerned by the alarming trend, as young girls struggle to balance pregnancy with education. This has led to an increase in early marriages, with parents pushing their daughters into wedlock after childbirth, ending their academic aspirations.
Some girls, faced with these challenges, leave their communities to seek opportunities in the south but rarely return to continue their education. According to Sabratu Mahama, the regional girl child education officer, there were only six reported cases of teenage pregnancy in 2023, but this year, the number has spiked to 27 cases, with 18 of those girls breastfeeding and 38 dropping out of school entirely.
The lack of adequate transportation is cited as a major barrier to monitoring the situation, with officers struggling to gather information from various communities.
Rhoda Ramatu Zakari, a girl child education officer in West Mamprusi, expressed deep concern over the issue. She highlighted that many young girls seek financial support from men, often leading to sexual exploitation, as their parents fail to provide basic necessities like sanitary pads.
Simon Amokese, the North East Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), described the rise in teenage pregnancy as a regional crisis that needs collective action from all stakeholders. He criticized parents for keeping children home during farming seasons, despite the government’s efforts to provide free education, including free Senior High School.
However, the authorities commended the efforts of NGOs like PARDA and Oxfam Ghana, which are actively working to reduce teenage pregnancies. They urged these organizations to continue their awareness campaigns to help curb the growing issue.
Reporting by Dokurugu Alhassan in the North East Region.
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