Christoph Atiavor, Akatsi North District Public Health Nurse, has expressed concern over the persistent rate of teenage pregnancy in the district, despite visible improvements recorded in recent years through public health interventions.

He was speaking at a community engagement programme organised by the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) under the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-funded “Voices and Choices” adolescent empowerment initiative at Ave-Dakpa and Posmonu in the Akatsi North District of the Volta Region.

Atiavor described the sensitisation engagement as timely, especially during the festive season when many young people are exposed to risky sexual activities.

He revealed that the district recorded 37 teenage pregnancies within the first half of the year, saying although the figure reflected progress compared to previous years, the situation remained worrying and demands sustained community action.

“Interventions like this have helped reduce cases of teenage pregnancy in Akatsi North, but we cannot relax. Continuous education and strong family support systems are still needed to protect our adolescent girls,” he stated.

He identified peer pressure, weak parental guidance, poor knowledge of menstrual health, and curiosity among young girls as some of the major drivers of adolescent pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections in the area.

Atiavor urged parents to take active interest in their daughters’ welfare, emphasising that good parenting and open communication remain powerful tools in preventing risky behaviour.

He appealed to community leaders, teachers, religious institutions, and development partners to continue supporting adolescent health initiatives to strengthen community protection for children.

Participants at the programme welcomed the health education, describing it as eye-opening and impactful.

The engagement, organised by PPAG and supported by UNFPA, brought together parents, youth leaders, and health workers to discuss issues relating to sexual and reproductive health, teenage pregnancy, responsible parenting, and adolescent protection.

The community expressed optimism that healthier and well-informed adolescents would contribute positively to education, community growth, and national development.

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