Editorial
Adolescent mothers deserve care, not condemnation
Adolescence is expected to be a time of growth and discovery, but for many young girls in Ghana, it becomes a period shadowed by unintended pregnancies and fear of seeking help.
Instead of finding compassion at health facilities, adolescent mothers too often faced judgment, stigma, and outright rejection from those meant to care for them.
The interim Country Director of Right to Play Ghana, Mr. Evans Sinkari, has rightly warned that such attitudes by some health workers are undermining adolescent healthcare and, by extension, Ghana’s public health goals.
Pregnant adolescents, he noted, are frequently shamed when they seek antenatal care.
This does not only strip them of the dignity they deserve but discourages them from returning for skilled delivery or postnatal services.
The result is devastating. Young mothers, fearing mistreatment, turn to unsafe abortions or unqualified attendants.
Others simply avoid health facilities altogether, putting both their lives and their babies at risk.
The ripple effects are preterm births, low birth weight, and poor child health outcomes.
Adolescent pregnancy is a public health challenge that demands compassion and professionalism.
Whether pregnancy results from coercion, early marriage, or consensual relationships, young girls must never be denied the right to safe, respectful, and confidential care.
Ghana has already committed itself through the Adolescent Health Services Policy and the National Reproductive Health Services Policy to create supportive and youth-friendly health environments.
What remains is for these policies to move from paper to practice.
It is the view of The Spectator that health workers must be trained and retrained to treat adolescents with empathy, not disdain.
The paper also believes that facilities must guarantee privacy and reduce the intimidating, adult-focused atmosphere that currently drives young people away.
Beyond saving lives, adolescent-friendly antenatal offers young mothers a chance to remain in school, build a future, and break cycles of poverty.
It is also central to achieving Sustainable Development Goal three and five which focuses on good health and well-being and gender equality respectively.
As a country, we must deal with the problem of stigma surrounding adolescent mothers. We must be seen to be upholding their rights and liberties instead of the mistreatment.
Dear Editor,
THE Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that most Senior High Schools (SHSs) will return to the single-track system by this month.
For many students and parents, this feels like a relief. But before we move on, we must take a moment to reflect.
The double-track system helped thousands of students get into schools. It gave hope to families who couldn’t afford private education. But it also came with challenges.
Some students had shorter terms, others had longer breaks. Teachers were stretched, and learning felt rushed. Many students felt left behind not because they didn’t try, but because the system didn’t give them enough time.
Now that we’re returning to single-track, let’s make sure we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. We need more classrooms, better planning, and support for teachers.
Education is not just about getting into school. It’s about feeling safe and supported. Let’s build a system that gives every child a real chance.
Beatrice Princess Kpeglah,
Dansoman
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Dear Editor
As it is critical for preserving our surroundings, there is the urgent need for increased awareness and action to protect Ghana’s environment and resources.
Ghana’s forest reserves, vast savannas and scenic coastlines serve as homes and habitats to a wide range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species.
Our vegetation and rich soil deposits provide the nation with food, plants and animal resources, which ensures food availability and accessibility for the population.
However, the country’s environment is facing numerous threats including deforestation, overexploitation, pollution, etc.
The importance of environmental conservation cannot be overstated; our natural resources are the backbone of our economy, playing a vital role in driving the country’s economic growth and development.
It is therefore critical that we take actions to protect them for our future generations.
There is the need for collective action to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development.
Environmentalists, various organizations and private individuals must come on board to promote environmental conservation, through tree planting exercises, clean-up campaigns, and resource conservation practices.
These efforts, when carried out effectively, would create a long-lasting impact in protecting and conserving the country’s environment.
The Ghanaian government should also implement policies and conduct regular programmes aimed at promoting environmental conservation.
By Theresa Tsetse Dzifa,
Bubiashie
