Ten Year Olds Getting Pregnant In Central Region

Statistics from the Health Services in the Central Region has revealed an alarming rate of teenage pregnancy cases in the region.

A total of 50 girls aged between 10 and 14 were reported pregnant in various health centers in the Central Region during the first quarter of this year,the Deputy Regional Director of Nursing Services, Mad. Margaret Assam said.

Hope for Future Generations [HFFG], an NGO that has been working in rural communities in the Mfantsiman and Abura Asebu Kwamankese Districts of the Central Region say the disturbing trend has led to increasing numbers of young teenage girls dropping out of school due to pregnancy.

In an interview with CITI NEWS, the Director for Hope for Future Generations, Cecilia Senoo blamed the situation on widespread poverty.

She said the girls are sometimes impregnated by their mates, but the lion's share of the blame should go to certain unscrupulous men who exploit the minors' predicament for sex.

"This is what has been reported by most of the community leaders and the schools" she said.

"These young girls need some basic things which their parents can not provide so they look elsewhere. These adults promise them some money and other things so they can sleep with them", she added.
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