Health authorities in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region have raised concern over the growing incidence of teenage pregnancy, after the district recorded 301 cases in 2025.
The District Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Francis Kwoutua Apungu, said the worrying trend had continued into 2026, with 78 teenage pregnancies and 43 teenage deliveries recorded between January and March.
According to him, the figures require urgent and coordinated action from parents, traditional authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to protect adolescents and secure their future.
Mr. Apungu made the call at the launch of the POWER Project in the Ayensuano District.
He said the persistent cases of teenage pregnancy posed serious challenges to the health, education and socio-economic prospects of young girls and required collective efforts to reverse the trend.
The POWER Project is being implemented by Ark Development Organization under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership–Ghana programme, through Plan International Ghana and its partners.
The initiative seeks to address some of the challenges confronting women and girls in the district, with a particular focus on economic empowerment, teenage pregnancy, sexual and gender-based violence, and youth leadership.
The Queenmother of Coaltar, Nana Afua Asuedua III, also highlighted the need for stronger community measures to protect adolescents.
She disclosed that a Watchnight Committee had been formed in the community to ensure that adolescent boys and girls returned home early and to discourage the holding of overnight wake-keeping activities.
She said such measures were necessary to create a safer environment for young people and reduce their exposure to situations that could contribute to teenage pregnancy and other social challenges.
The Executive Director of Ark Development Organization, Emmanuel Kwarfo Minta, said the POWER Project was designed to empower women and girls while promoting community-led solutions to challenges affecting them.
The project will be implemented in ten communities in the Ayensuano District and will also engage community members on the protection and empowerment of women and girls.
As part of the launch, ten community leaders publicly signed declarations committing their time and resources to serve as Gender Champions.
The Gender Champions are expected to support efforts to prevent teenage pregnancy, promote the rights and welfare of women and girls, and mobilise community action against sexual and gender-based violence.
Stakeholders at the launch called for sustained collaboration among families, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and government agencies to tackle the underlying factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in the district.
