The Adaklu District Director of Health (DDH), Mr. Matthew Ayamba, has expressed concern over rising teenage pregnancy in the area, highlighting the threat it poses to the future of young girls in the district.
He revealed that in 2023, 140 girls aged 14 to 17 became pregnant, compared to 109 in the same age group in 2024. Additionally, four girls aged 10 to 14 were reported pregnant, while between January and October 2025, 93 girls aged 14 to 17 were recorded as pregnant.
Although these figures have shown a gradual decline due to intensified reproductive health education by the district health directorate, Mr. Ayamba stressed that teenage pregnancy remains a significant concern for stakeholders.
The DDH made these remarks at Adaklu-Waya during an educational programme focused on reproductive health, youth wellbeing, and adherence to expert advice for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
He identified substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and early marriage as major challenges affecting youth development. Mr. Ayamba noted that substance abuse, including drugs, often leads to severe health consequences, such as mental disorders, with cases frequently reported at health facilities.
Urging parents to actively engage in their children’s lives, he emphasized the need to protect them from behaviors that could jeopardize their health and future. He reassured that the district health directorate would continue monitoring these developments and intensifying educational outreach across the district.
Mr. Ayamba also highlighted the prevalence of anaemia among teenage couples, attributing it to poor nutrition. “Young husbands and wives are often unable to access nutritious food because they are not engaged in meaningful economic activities,” he explained.
Furthermore, he warned that youth in the district face increased risks of cancers and other health complications due to smoking, alcohol, and substance abuse. “These promising young people often only visit health facilities when illnesses have advanced, including cases of mental disorders and cancer,” he noted.
Regular education on adolescent reproductive health, including the use of contraceptives such as condoms, is ongoing to prevent teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
Supporting the health directorate’s efforts, Adaklu District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Esther Buakumah, emphasised the need for youth to be law-abiding. She reminded that drug use is a criminal offence and that offenders would face legal consequences.
ASP Buakumah also noted that the most frequently reported cases in the district include animals destroying crops, assault, and defilement, many of which are referred to the regional office in Ho.
By Samuel Agbewode, Adaklu-Waya
🔗 Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
🌍 Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
✅ Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
