Bono region reports high rate of teenage pregnancies, with approximately 15,000 cases recorded in just three years.

Rita Adjoa Ansong, Deputy Director of Nursing Services for Public Health, highlighted that the Bono Regionhas recorded 14,877 cases of teenage pregnancy between 2021 and 2024. She shared this alarming figure during a stakeholders’ meeting in Sunyani, which took place as part of activities marking African Vaccination Week and Child Health Promotion Week.

Madam Rita Adjoa Ansong also disclosed that 1,188 abortions were recorded among girls aged 15 to 19 during the same period. As per her report, approximately 3,999 teenage pregnancies and 388 abortions took place in 2021; 4,058 pregnancies and 351 abortions took place in 2022; 3,492 pregnancies and 217 abortions took place in 2023; and 3,328 pregnancies with 282 abortions in took place in 2024.

‎Terming it as serious  “worrying,” she called for greater stakeholders involvement to expand access to family planning services for teenage girls. According to her, family planning enables girls to make informed decisions, avoid unplanned pregnancies, and continue their education.

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She drew to attention that myths, lack of community support, and cultural and religious beliefs often stop girls from using these services.‎

‎Regardless the challenges of teenage pregnancy, she highlighted that a modest increase in family planning coverage in the region, rising from 36.45% in 2023 to 39.58% in 2024. She said this process will improve partnerships, a consistent supply of contraceptives, and stronger adoption of birth control methods among adolescents.

‎She expressed gratitude for the support of organizations such as Marie Stopes, DKT, and the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), whose free contraceptive supplies played a crucial role in the process. She emphasized that the family planning gives girls the ability to determine their own futures, lower pregnancy-related deaths, and leads to healthier families. She called on the media and other partners to help promote accurate information and fight stigma.

During the forum, Dr. Prince Quarshie, the Deputy Director of Public Health in the Bono Region, drew to attention the role of public education in promoting child health services and vaccine awareness. Dr. Prince Quarshie stated that the event is focused on fostering cooperation among health professionals, government agencies, development partners, and the media in ensuring child health safety.

African Vaccination Week, led by the World Health Organization since 2010, begins every April 24–30 to emphasize the significance of vaccines.

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