Teenage pregnancy increases in Brong-Ahafo

Teenage pregnancy among Junior High School (JHS) students who sat for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Brong-Ahafo Region increased from 77 in 2010 to 111 in 2011, and 170 in 2012.

This was announced by Miss Malonin Asibi, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of the Department of Gender at the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection at a public forum organised as part of activities marking this year’s celebration of the Annual Fofie Yam Festival at Techiman.

She was speaking on the topic “The Challenges and Relevance of Girls’ Education in the 21st Century”

She pointed out that available statistics indicated that the Techiman Municipality recorded 28 teenage pregnancies at the basic level and 15 teenage pregnancies at the JHS level during the 2012/2013 academic year.

Miss Asibi advised parents to encourage their girls to attend school because education was a means to assist children to develop their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, political, social, cultural and economic potentials towards society.

Nana Saah Gyemfuah II, Brong-Ahafo Regional Representative on the Council of State and Queenmother of Ayima, in the Kintampo South District, said educating the girl was important to empower and guarantee them for a brighter future.

Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV, Omanhene of Techiman Traditional Area said proceeds from stool revenue had been well utilized for development projects in the area.

He advised traders at the Techiman market to assist their husbands to educate their children especially the girl-child to become useful citizens in future.

Source: GNA