The Department of Gender in the Ashanti Region has raised concern over the increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy among adolescents in the region.

🇬🇭 Here's What Happened

It has therefore stressed the need to intensify efforts to protect young people and promote their sexual and reproductive health.

According to the Department said, this requires a sustained collaboration among parents, schools, communities, health professionals, government agencies and development partners to address the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy and related challenges among adolescents.

The concern was raised during a series of sensitisation workshops organised by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council.

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The workshops, which brought together young people and adults from selected districts and municipalities, aimed at strengthening adolescent-friendly health services, improving access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, and promoting the sexual and reproductive health rights of young people.

Participants were drawn from Adansi Asokwa, New Edubiase, Sekyere Central, Kwadaso, Asokore Mampong, Atwima Nwabiagya South and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

The Ashanti Regional Head of the Department of Gender, Madam Ama Nyanta Boateng, speaking at the workshop, urged parents and guardians to report cases of rape involving their children to the police and allow the law to take its course.

She cautioned parents against settling such cases privately or compromising with alleged perpetrators, saying such practices could deny victims of justice and expose other children to sexual abuse.

Madam Boateng stressed the need for parents to take allegations of sexual abuse seriously and ensure that victims received the necessary protection, counselling and support.

She also urged communities to strengthen their vigilance and reporting mechanisms to protect children and adolescents from sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse.

📰 Source: Joy Online Ghana