The Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Samuel Tettey, has hinted that some students in the Senior High Schools (SHS) in the area have had to apply for leave of absence for at least an academic year, to cater for their children.
According to the depressed Municipal Director of Education, the high level of teenage pregnancy in the Municipality was posing a serious threat to the potential of the girl-child in the area.
To him, the canker has become a key component of most girls dropping out of school, with some becoming young mothers.
The Municipal Director of Education continued that, regardless of the several efforts made to nip the canker in the bud, the area was still not out of the woods yet, because every year, some children, especially girls, are unable to write the BECE and the WASSCE as a result of teenage pregnancy.
This came to light during a One-Day Influential Conference on teenage pregnancy and career mentorship, organised by As I Grow, an Akuapem-Larteh based Non-Profit Organisation at Krobo-Odumase, the capital of the Municipality, on Monday, this week.
The One-Day Influential Conference, which was attended by pupils and students drawn from all Basic, Junior and Senior High Schools in the Municipality was on the theme: “Beyond the Dream of the Teenager.”
The Conference brought together experts and mentors and career coaches from varied fields of life to share, educate and motivate these young students.
Quoting from Eleanor Roosevelt, the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Director of Education stated that, “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” and advised the young girls to remember that the path to realising those dreams is not always straightforward.
“The journey is often fraught with challenges and one of the most pressing issues that many teenagers face today is the challenge of teenage pregnancy.
“This issue has a profound impact on the future of our children and youth and it is one that demands our collective attention and intervention”, he stressed.
He continued that, “I want to remind our students here today, that this conference is not just a one-time event, but a step toward transforming the way you think about your future.
“As teenagers, you are at a crossroads in your lives—full of potential but also vulnerable to the distractions and challenges that could steer you away from your goals”.
To this, he implored on the students to explore the topic of teenage pregnancy and also recognise that the conference was not just about prevention, but equipping them (students) with the tools and vision to see beyond the challenges.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of As I Grow, Elder Isaac Debrah Bekoe, outlined the hidden struggles of teenage pregnancy in Ghana and its far-reaching impact on thousands of young girls each year.
He explained that despite progress in education, health care, and women’s empowerment, many adolescents find themselves caught in the web of early motherhood, a situation that not only disrupts their lives, but also has long-term effects on their communities.
According to him, the Ghana Health Service report indicated that approximately one in five girls in Ghana becomes pregnant before the age of 18.
He disclosed that, while these numbers might seem alarming, they are not the full picture since many teenage pregnancies go unreported, particularly in rural areas where cultural and societal norms around young motherhood might be more ingrained.
The ‘As I Grow’ CEO mentioned that the vast majority of these pregnancies happen within marginalised communities, often compounded by poverty, limited access to education and poor sexual and reproductive health knowledge.
A Disruption to Education, Health Risks
To him, the most immediate and visible impact of teenage pregnancy is on education, since young girls who become pregnant are often forced to drop out of school, coupled with societal stigma and pressure, which often lead to the discontinuation of their studies.
On health risks, Mr. Bekoe hinted that teenage girls, particularly those under 18, are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, anemia and complications during child birth.
He continued that in rural areas where healthcare facilities are less accessible, the maternal and neo-natal mortality rates for young mothers are significantly higher than the national average. Since many of these teenagers might not have received adequate information on contraception or family planning before becoming pregnant, the situation leads to unplanned and often unwanted pregnancies.
Breaking the Cycle: Solutions and Hope
The CEO of As I Grow admitted that despite the challenges of teenage pregnancy being undeniably serious, there are pathways to breaking the cycle, citing education as one of the most powerful tools for empowerment.
He further proposed that continued advocacy for programs that allow pregnant girls to stay in school was very essential.
