his is when a girl usually between the ages of 13-19 become pregnant. Teenage pregnancy is a serious health and social issue of public health importance in the world. It continues to be a challenge for most countries especially those in Africa. In Ghana, this issue should be address to save the life and future of young Ghanaian girls.

About 57,000 teenage pregnancies were recorded in Ghana in the first half of 2017 in Ghana not to talk of those that were not recorded. It is factual that it increases in both the rural and urban centers in the nation. Can we associate teenage pregnancy to the high fertility rates since girls now have their menarche as early as nine (9) years old?

The girl child lacks academic empowerment since they drop out of school after becoming pregnant and most of their career opportunities are stripped off. They become liabilities in our communities and do menial jobs and other unspeakable things to survive. What could be some of the causes of this rampant increase in teenage pregnancy?

Peer pressure or influence, poverty, lack of parental control and guidance, illiteracy and lack of sex education amongst others are some of the lead to teenage pregnancy. Teenage pregnancy is not just about the girl child because they don’t get themselves pregnant. The teenage boys and even older men get girls who become victims of the above causes by chance pregnant leaving them with no hopes for the future.

The effects of teenage pregnancy of the girl child and the baby and even the whole society cannot be underrated. Some of the effects include but not limited to rejection by community members and family members at times, population increase, increase in social vices, school drop-out, lack of focus in life, mental health issues such as stress and depression, lack of credibility and trust and illegal abortion which could lead to complications and loss of lives.

What can the society do the help young girls who find themselves in these situations? A child can definitely not be able to take good care a child hence the need to accept these girls as part of us and support them with whatever we have and also help bring up the children they bring to this world. Intensive educative programs should be organized for girls on sex and the consequences of teenage pregnancy and how to make healthy life choices even after being a victim of teenage pregnancy.

Parents should not only be career focus but also spent time with their children and become their best friends so they can confide in them instead of friends who deceive them with sweet words love. Victims who would not return to school as a result of teenage pregnancy should be trained in artisan work to help then earn their daily bread.

 We would be doing no good to our society if we continue to reject teenage girls who get pregnant with no one to cater for them. The rate of social vices would be on rise since the children born would get no good morally upbringing. Parents, teachers and the society at large should join hands together to get a sustainable solutions to combat the menace of teenage pregnancy because it affect everyone in a long term. 

By: Der Debuo Amanda