Assin Fosu: The Assin Fosu Municipal Health Directorate has expressed significant concerns about a troubling trend in the area, where numerous teenage girls, faced with financial hardships, are engaging in transactional sex to afford sanitary pads and other necessities. Officials highlighted a failure among many parents to fulfill their basic responsibilities, such as providing food, medical care, shelter, and emotional support for their children.
According to Ghana News Agency, this neglect has created an environment where unscrupulous men exploit the vulnerability of these girls by offering money for sanitary pads and other essentials in exchange for sex. This has led to a rise in teenage pregnancies, carrying severe socio-economic and health consequences for the community. Mr. Emmanuel Bediako Tandoh, the Municipal Deputy Public Health Nurse, reported that between January and March 2024, there were 593 antenatal visits, with 50 involving teen mothers aged 10-19. In the same period in 2025, antenatal visits increased to 749, including 63 teen mothers.
Mr. Tandoh discussed these issues during an interview at a capacity-building event in Assin Fosu, organized by the Central Regional Coordinating Council, the National Youth Authority, and partners, with support from UNFPA. The event aimed to equip participants with knowledge to reduce teen pregnancies, prevent abuses, and transform harmful cultural traditions. He attributed the rise in teenage pregnancies partly to a lack of awareness about menstrual cycles, which affects girls' confidence and exposes them to early pregnancies.
Mr. Tandoh warned that teenage pregnancies could lead to health issues such as anemia, low birth weight, stillbirth, and psychological trauma. These pregnancies also often result in school dropouts, unemployment, and single parenting, which perpetuate poverty. He called for increased public awareness, family planning education, and economic empowerment programs to tackle these challenges.
Mr. Francis Obeng Takyi, the Regional Population Officer, addressed family planning misconceptions, emphasizing its importance in improving maternal and child health, reducing financial strain, and enhancing parenting quality. Mr. David Allan Paintsil, Assistant Director II at CRCC, praised UNFPA's efforts in promoting family planning and education to combat sexual and gender-based violence. He urged the youth to avoid early and unprotected sex and to focus on education or vocational skills to become responsible adults.
