The Ghana Education Service (GES) has called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to address the increasing cases of teenage pregnancy in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region.
According to the Education Directorate, despite the ongoing Back to School campaign, a significant number of teenage mothers do not return to school after childbirth.
Many face stigmatization from their peers, while others lack caregivers to look after their babies, making it difficult for them to continue their education.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of The Influential Conference, an event organized to educate teenage girls in the municipality, the Lower Manya Krobo Director of Education, Samuel Kwasi Tettey, expressed concern over the rising school dropout rate among teenage mothers.
“The reason why our girls are not rising to the top is because of teenage pregnancy. It is very rampant here, and it is affecting their education. Many of them drop out of school. Some become mothers and do not return. Even though we have the Back to School campaign, certain barriers are preventing them from coming back.
“They fear being laughed at, and some have no one to take care of their children. This is making it difficult for them to progress academically to the highest levels their abilities allow. Our objective is to educate them, their parents, and all stakeholders involved in addressing teenage pregnancy. Together, we must put all hands on deck to support the growth and development of the girl child,” he noted.
Nana Debrah Bekoe Isaac, Founder and CEO of As I Grow Foundation, a non-governmental organization leading a campaign to educate teenage girls in rural communities, has called on the government to demonstrate greater commitment to tackling teenage pregnancy, which he describes as a growing social challenge.
“Teenage pregnancy has become a canker in this country, and even the international community is working hard to address it. As frontline advocates against teenage pregnancy, we are here to provide guidance, direction, and support for these young girls.
“As I Grow Foundation, our goal is to assist the education directorate in fighting this issue so that, in the end, our children can continue their education and careers and achieve their dreams and aspirations,” he stated
