Rising Teenage Pregnancy in Techiman Raises Concerns, Calls for Action from Parents and Traditional Leaders
Mrs. Diana Asigri, a public health nurse in the Techiman Municipality, has raised concerns about the rising rates of teenage pregnancy in the area.
She highlighted that in 2012, the municipality recorded 1,351 cases of teenage pregnancy. Although this number slightly decreased to 1,300 in 2013, it surged again to 1,342 in 2014. Speaking to a gathering of schoolchildren and apprentices at a durbar in Techiman, Mrs. Asigri revealed that the affected individuals are young girls aged between 10 and 19 years.
The durbar, organized by DKT International Ghana, a health-focused NGO, aimed to raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections and other reproductive health issues. Mrs. Asigri emphasized the critical role parents play in addressing teenage pregnancy, stressing that the country’s future could be compromised if the issue is not addressed promptly.
Nana Faa Adomako, the Queen Mother of Mesidan in Techiman, who chaired the event, urged traditional leaders to revisit cultural practices such as puberty rites, suggesting they could play a significant role in reducing teenage pregnancies.
