Bolgatanga: The Upper East Region has recorded a total of 2,436 teenage pregnancies from January to May 2025, raising fresh concerns over adolescent health and protection in the region.
According to Ghana News Agency, Ms. Charity Tanni, the Upper East Regional Health Information Officer of the Ghana Health Service, disclosed that among the teenagers, 25 were between ages 10 and 14, while 2,411 were between ages 15 to 19. Ms. Tanni made this revelation during a presentation in Bolgatanga at a review meeting on the Essential Services Package (ESP) for women and girls subjected to violence. The project is being implemented by the Department of Gender, in collaboration with the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, with funding support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The meeting included stakeholders from various institutions such as the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, DOVVSU, Legal Aid Commission, Department of Social Welfare, Judicial Service, and Civil Society Organisations. The presented data showed that the Bawku West District recorded the highest number of cases with 372, followed by Pusiga with 276, Bongo with 212, Talensi with 210, Kassena Nankana West with 198, Kassena Nankana Municipality with 196, and Bolgatanga Municipality with 152.
Other districts reported were Bawku Municipality with 147, Tempane with 123, Garu with 118, Builsa South with 116, Nabdam with 100, Binduri with 86, Builsa North with 78, and Bolgatanga East with the lowest at 52 teenage pregnancies.
Mr. James Akandi, the Registrar at the Circuit Court, noted that among the 24 gender-based violence cases before the court, 14 were defilement cases. He expressed concern over the absence of witnesses in court and the lack of resources and logistics, which he stated were hindering justice delivery.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mariam Awemoni, the Regional DOVVSU Coordinator, mentioned that inadequate coordination between her office and district offices was affecting the fight against gender-based violence and data collection. She pointed out that reports were not being shared with her office, which limited their ability to track cases and progress.
Mr. James Twene, the Acting Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Gender, emphasized the need for stronger institutional collaboration to tackle gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy. He stressed the importance of coordination, data gathering, and segmentation in addressing these issues, urging essential service providers to work together for effective outcomes.
Ms. Yvonne Wonchua, the UNFPA Focal Person at the Regional Coordinating Council, underscored the importance of coordination among ESP institutions and advocated for resource mobilization to enhance service delivery and survivor protection.
