Teenage pregnancy on the rise in Ashanti region-Gender ministry reveals

The Ashanti Regional Department of Gender has expressed concern over the increasing cases of teenage pregnancy among the young people in the region.

As part of efforts to combat the effects,the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),and Ashanti regional Coordinating Council is conducting sensitization workshops for young men and adults in various districts aims to strengthen adolescent friendly health services and improve sexual and reproductive health rights by reducing teenage pregnancy.

The workshop brought together young people from Adansi Asokwa, New Edubiase, Sekyere Central, Kwadaso, Asokore Mampong, Atwima Nwabiagya South and the Kumasi metropolitan assembly.

Speaking at the workshops,Madam Ama Nyanta Boateng, Ashanti Regional Head of the Department of Gender, advised parents to report issues of rape among their girl child to police and allow the law takes it process rather than compromising with the accuse persons.

Also speaking at the workshop, Madam Mercy Adomah Besseah, Ashanti regional director for National Population Council, said that,recent report from Ghana AIDS Commission indicates that,Ashanti region recorded 2nd highest number of HIV/AIDS cases among young people in Ghana.

She said, the report is alarming because the youth represent the future workforce of the country hence the need to take measures to reduce it.

Some participants shared their benefits of the workshop.