A total of 18,441 adolescents got pregnant representing 11.4% of all pregnancies last year 2016, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services Dr. Alexis Nang-Beifubah has announced.
Addressing the media at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate under the Gharh project themed “reducing teenage pregnancy, a shared responsibility” Dr. Alexis Nang-Beifubah said the figure is a reduction from the 2015 figure of 19,416 and that of 2014 which was 20,395.
He said, although a lot has been done to reach adolescents with appropriate information and create unimpeded access to youth friendly services, adolescents continue to be burdened by threats to their Sexual Reproduction health compared to adults.
Dr. Alexis Nang-Beifubah added that adolescents need support, continuous engagement, and a health communication environment from parents, teachers, relatives and the society as a whole so they can grow well and contribute to the society.