Deputy Director of Nursing Services (Public Health), Rita Adjoa Ansong, at the Bono Regional Directorate of Health, has revealed that the region recorded 14,877 teenage pregnancies between 2021 and 2024.Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Sunyani, held as part of activities marking the African Vaccination Week (AVW) and Child Health Promotion Week (CHPW), Miss Ansong reported that the girls aged between 15 and 19 had a total of 1,188 abortions during the same period.She noted that in 2021, 3,999 pregnancies and 388 cases of abortion were recorded.4,058 pregnancies and 351 abortions in 2022; 3,492 pregnancies and 217 abortions in 2023; and 3,328 pregnancies and 282 abortions in 2024.

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To reduce the alarming figures, Miss Ansong appealed to stakeholders to support initiatives that promote greater Family Planning (FP) access for sexually active teens in the region.According to her, the FP will guide female teenagers in making sexual and reproductive decisions to avoid dropping out of school.The Nursing Director indicated that the key barriers preventing girls and women from exploring various FP methods.

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She therefore called for increased community support and a shift away from outdated cultural and religious beliefs.

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