All is set for a workshop themed “Navigating Teenage Pregnancy” to be held at the Matse EP Primary and Junior High School (JHS) in the Volta region on Monday, October 9, 2023.
The one-day workshop is in fulfillment of the community project execution for the African Women Fellowship by Faustina Asantewaa Ntiamoah who is part of the first cohort of the fellowship.
Navigating teenage pregnancy refers to the process of managing and making choices during a pregnancy when the mother is a teenager, typically between the ages of 13 and 19. This journey involves a range of challenges, decisions, and emotions, including healthcare, emotional support, educational choices, social relationships, financial planning, legal rights and future planning.
Mrs Ntiamoah who is a Medical Laboratory Scientist told Citi News that she was motivated to organise the workshop due to the rising rate of teenage pregnancy in the area.
She indicated that when she was assigned to the Matse Health Center in the Volta region three years ago under the Ghana Health Service as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, she observed a worrying trend of school dropouts due to teenage pregnancies.
“At first, it seemed like this was normal for the community, but it became a concern when these young girls visited the health center. This situation triggered my motivation to make a change, especially considering that these teenage girls were having their education disrupted due to pregnancy.
“A quote by Mahatma Gandhi has always been my compass in life: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” This quote inspired me to impart knowledge and guidance to these teenage girls,” Mrs Ntiamoah stated.
She explained that as part of the 2023 African Women Fellowship, she was required to undertake a community project, so she decided to embark on a project with the theme “Helping Eradicate Teenage Pregnancy within the Matse Community.”
“The aim of this project is to educate teenagers aged between 13 and 17 years about the adverse health consequences of teenage pregnancies for both the young mother and the baby. Education can help teenagers understand the risks associated with early pregnancy, access prenatal care, and make informed decisions about their health. By empowering young people with knowledge and skills, education can break the cycle of teenage pregnancy and benefit future generations,” Mrs Ntiamoah added.