The Volta Region witnessed 6,039 adolescent pregnancies in 2022, as many young girls resorted to child marriage or cohabitation for survival.

This revelation was made by the Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, during the Gender Equality Males’ Empowerment School (GEMS 2023) held in Ho last week.

GEMS 2023, organized by the Department of Gender under the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), focused on the theme "GEMS Action for Gender Equality, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights: Men and Boys as Key Partners." The primary goal was to involve men and boys as allies in the fight to end child marriages.

The two-day program saw the participation of 32 assembly members, youth, religious leaders from the Keta municipality, Central Tongu, South Dayi, and North Dayi districts, along with 32 boys selected from schools in those areas.

Dr. Letsa referred to data from the regional secretariat of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) regarding adolescent pregnancies, expressing concerns about its implications for the future development of both girls and boys.

He noted that numerous adolescents engaged in unprotected and indiscriminate sexual activities, posing a severe threat.

Organizations such as the Department of Gender, in collaboration with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) and UNFPA, have implemented various initiatives to educate and empower stakeholders, including adolescents, on issues like Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.

These initiatives aim to garner support from various stakeholders, including parents, traditional authorities, community leaders, duty bearers, teachers, and adolescents, to raise awareness and eliminate or significantly reduce cases of SGBV, teenage pregnancy, and child marriage in the region.

The Regional Director of Gender,Thywill Eyra Kpe, highlighted the misconceptions surrounding gender equality advocacy, emphasizing that it involves both men and women, as well as boys and girls.

She noted that gender equality required active participation from men, dispelling the myth that men were adversaries in this endeavor.