• Nana Kunadjoa II (middle) addressing participants with some members of the Foundation

The Nana Abena Kunadjoa II Foundation has begun stakeholders’ engagement at Kyekyewere in the Prestea- Huni Valley Municipality to reduce teenage pregnancies in the WassaFiase Traditional area of the Western Region.

The five-year teenage pregnancy prevention project, supported by Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF), is being implemented in collaboration with queens, Department of Social Welfare and Community Development and Ghana Education Service (GES), will be held in communities including Benso, Daboase, Bonsawere and Tarkwa -Nsuaem.

Some critical issues of the project are to reduce early sex life among the adolescents, save vulnerable girls from being exploited sexually by men, expose young girls to sexual reproductive issues and address lack of parental responsibilities at WassaFiase.

Speaking to queens, parents and students at Kyekyewere last Friday, Founder of the foundation, Nana AbenaKunadjoa II, said she was saddened by the experiences shared by children regarding their reproductive health and welfare, and reiterated that curbing teenage pregnancies was big task for stakeholders.

She stated that the foundation was ready to partner and share its vision of supporting the less privileged and also assist young girls to aspire and fulfil their future dreams.

“I will urge all queens to organise their communities and we are ready to come over and hold discussions with parents and young ones. We are ready for this project and we’ll not relent. This project is dear to my heart; It’s our target to reduce teenage pregnancies in WassaFiase,” Nana Kunadjoa stressed.

She stated that children were a blessing to parents not a burden on society.

Nana AmaSaarah, queen of Subri also blamed husbands for some of the ordeals children went through and suggested those who fall short should be sanctioned and be made examples to others in society.

She told the students “You must also be humble and be an example to others in future. You have the opportunity to excel and build your future. Avoid boy friendships which will do you no good.” she added.

The Girl Child Education Officer at GES Tarkwa, Madam GiftyEfuaNyinaku, told the participants to take the discussions on teenage pregnancies serious due to its harm to students’ education, health and future.

Teenage pregnancies, she said, were an affront to development and that, the pregnant girl child could be anaemic, with baby becoming prematured, deformed and may die.

MsNyinaku stressed “You may end  up having urinary tract  infections, incur heavy costs in medical care, stop school, get traumatised and stigmatised or may experience perinatal deaths and  also have sexual transmitted  infections .”

She said, good communication between parents and children especially young girls was critical to appreciate the needs and worries and also address pressing issues including provision of sanitary pads.

With this, Ms Nyinaku said, the girls would gain the confidence of parents and avoid peers for information which might be detrimental to their wellbeing.

From Clement Adzei Boye, Kyekyewere