Fanteakwa's Valentine babies

Pregnancy among school girls in the Fanteakwa District of the Eastern Region is noted to occur on Valentine Day, according to the district education authorities.

Ms. Mary Philomena Animwaa, District Director of Education said at a sensitisation workshop on the Valentine Day Celebration — the safe way at Osino and Begoro: "It is noted that pregnant cases in our schools are prominent in April and that can be attributed to girls engaging in sexual promiscuity in February."

The one week event was designed for school children, artisans, traders among other stakeholders.

She said, to stem the tide, the District Assembly with support of the Traditional Council, has banned young girls from roaming the streets after 7pm.

Linked to the Valentine Day pregnancies is the general picture of teenage pregnancy in the district which reportedly is on the increase, according to Ghana Health Service statistics.

The figures indicate that 523 teenage pregnancy cases were recorded in 2005 and this increased to 579 last year.

This canker does not only affect education or academic work, but also the social and economic lives of the people, because it results in low productivity. Besides, early sex causes sexually transmitted infections, she said.

The District Chief Executive, Ebenezer Ofoe Caesar, advised girls in the district to avoid promiscuity and stick to their books to equip themselves for responsible roles in future.

Source: The Ghanaian Times