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Information gathered by this news portal has revealed that, the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the Gamashie community has affected most girls as making them to drop out of school.

Sadly, when this occurs, these girls  become unskilled and unfit for the labour market, even as they prepare to become mothers.

More so, it obvious that, teenage pregnancy is the major cause of maternal mortality, since the bodies of most teenage girls are not well developed and matured to accommodate a baby.

However, as part of efforts to help clamp-down on the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the country, especially in Gamashie, Yali Cohort10 Southern Ghana participants took a giant step by embarking on a mentoring project themed:“Enhancing the living standards of teenagers and teenage mothers in Gamashie through mentoring, education and skills training”.

Addressing the participants during the ceremony, the Project Coordinator for Yali Cohort10 Southern Ghana team, Rita Esionam Garglo, said having had the opportunity to participate in the Young African Leaders Initiative and as beneficiaries of the training they were mandated embark on a  community service as a means of  giving  back to society.

This she said, upon a careful consideration on topic of teenage pregnancy; the team chose Gamashie, due to high rate of teenage pregnancy in the community.

Rita Esionam, cited high level of poverty, early marriages, gender discrimination, and lack of access to contraceptives, low levels of education, limited access to adequate healthcare and transfer of inter-generational poverty as the major factors contributing to this canker.

“Statistics from the Ghana Health Service indicate that in 2015, 30% of all birth recorded in the country were by teenagers. In the first half of 2017, 57,000 teenage pregnancies were recorded by the Ghana health service,” she hinted.

“Therefore it is our aim to educate and mentor these vulnerable mothers and also give them a fresh start, by building their capacity to become financially independent to help eradicate or reduce poverty which is one of the key factors contributing to teenage pregnancy,” she stated.

The team also entreated the government to endeavour provide avenues for employment to help reduce poverty, and also include sex education in the curriculum.

She also encouraged all teenagers to concentrate on their education and also abstain from sex where possible and if not learn to practice safe sex to avoid pregnancy and STD’S

The Project Secretary of Yali Cohort10 Southern Ghana, Evelyn Addor, stated that as a team they will continue to collaborate with the key stakeholders to help break the transfer of inter-generational poverty by empowering teenage mothers to become financially independent through education and sensitization, mentoring, skills training and career guidance.

“In July 2014, President Obama announced the creation of YALI RLCs in Africa to provide quality leadership training, support entrepreneurship and enhance professional development and networking, “she explained.

The Principal Midwifery Officer of Ussher Polyclinic, Adolescent Health Unit, Mrs. Ophelia Palm, admonished the teenagers to abstain from sex in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies and STD’s.

This she said, those who could not abstain from sexual intercourse must use practice safe family planning methods; stressing on the usage of the condom.

The Principal Midwifery Officer also condemned the myth surrounding the usage of condoms. “Using condom is not a sin. Go ahead and use it. It is also part of the family planning. It will prevent unwanted pregnancies and STD’s,” she echoed.

The Principal Elder, Ga Paramount Stool, Nii Amui DeGraft Quaye, who graced the occasion commended Yali Cohort10 Southern Ghana team, for embarking on such laudable initiative. This he said, the mentoring programme will go a long way to help address the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the community.

He also bemoaned the spate at which the youth are engaging in violent acts these days. The Principal Elder therefore seized the opportunity to advise the youth to eschew all kinds of immoral acts and rather focus on their studies in order to become prominent citizens in the country.