Teenage pregnancy in schools in Nabdam rises to 50 in 2014

Mr Francis Wongnab, the Presiding Member of the Nabdam District Assembly, on Monday expressed concern about teenage pregnancies in schools in the area and said a multifaceted approach was needed to reduce it.

Mr Wongnab raised the concern in an interview with the GNA at Nangodi in the Nabdam District where the 2014 report from the District Directorate of Education showed that teenage pregnancy in the district was on the increase.

In 2013, 36 teenage pregnancies were recorded in basic schools in Nabdam with seven of them from Pelungu Junior High School and 2014 recorded 50 pregnancies.

Mr Wongnab said the assembly was teaming up with the District Directorate of Education and parents to sensitize communities and to put in place measures to address the problem.

He proposed imposition of bye laws by the assembly to ensure night musical jams during funerals, passing out ceremonies and entertainment centers such as video centers were controlled.

Mrs Rose Akanson, Regional Girl Child Officer, Ghana Education Service, said pregnancy in the region was alarming and added that the GES was in link with some non-governmental organisations (NGO) in the Region to work out strategies to find a solution to the problem.

Mr Kingsley Krugu, Director of Youth Harvest Foundation, an NGO working on reproductive health, said a Youth Body Rights Advocacy Project (YBRAP) introduced by his outfit in 2014 was educating young people on reproductive health issues.

Source: GNA