PPAG Engages Bongo Communities to Combat Teenage Pregnancy and Child Marriage.

Bongo: The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), a Non-Governmental Organisation, has initiated engagement activities within the Bongo District of the Upper East Region as part of its ongoing efforts to eradicate teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and gender-based violence.According to Ghana News Agency, the engagement is a component of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ghana's adolescent girls' empowerment project, which is being implemented in the communities of Feo, Saabo, Anafobisi, Apuwongo, and Kodorogo within the district. The initiative, termed the 'Community Breaking the Silence Forum,' was conducted in each community and focused on addressing critical issues such as ending child marriage, promoting gender responsiveness, and enhancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for young people. The forum aimed to engage various stakeholders, including community leaders, educators, health workers, youth representatives, and young people, to empower them and garner support i n the fight against child marriage for sustainable growth and development.During the forums, Mr. Martin Anyoka, Field Officer at PPAG, highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and gender-based violence, which continue to affect the growth of young people, especially girls. He noted that these issues contribute to rising health complications, the spread of diseases, and increased school dropout rates, which widen the gender gap and impede sustainable development.Madam Esther Mbilla, the Bongo District Adolescent Focal Person from the Ghana Health Service, stressed the significance of family planning in preventing teenage pregnancies. She praised the initiative, noting that it would raise awareness of SRHR, thereby empowering the youth with crucial knowledge about their reproductive health and enabling them to make informed decisions.Madam Rita Abamah, Bongo District Girl Child Officer of the Ghana Education Service, addressed the issues of teenage pregnancy and child marriage in each community within the district. She emphasized the necessity for community support in the battle against these issues.Pognaba Felicia Agampoka, Queenmother of the Feo community, remarked that the project implementation is aiding the community in overcoming cultural barriers and enhancing knowledge about SRHR, which is contributing to the reduction of teenage pregnancies and child marriages.Naba Adendaa Awanyelom II, Chief of the Zorko Community, committed to establishing bylaws with explicit consequences to punish perpetrators of child marriage. This step is seen as vital in the fight against child marriage. The Chief hopes that these bylaws will deter families from marrying off their daughters at a young age and inspire other community leaders and stakeholders to adopt similar measures, thereby creating a ripple effect that fortifies the movement against child marriage.