Teenage pregnancies fueling child marriage in Kassena-Nankana Municipality – Pamela Buntugu
She explained that the development undermines the education and future prospects of the affected girls, as many end up being pushed into early marriages instead of being supported to continue their education.
An Official of the Kassena-Nankana Municipality Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has raised alarm over the rising cases of teenage pregnancies among candidates of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), warning that the situation is fuelling child marriage in the area.
Speaking at a two-day workshop on the theme “Ending Child Marriage in Ghana – One Paramountcy at a Time” held at the Navrongo Health Research Centre on September 23, Pamela Buntugu disclosed that thirteen pregnancies were recorded during the most recent BECE.
She explained that the development undermines the education and future prospects of the affected girls, as many end up being pushed into early marriages instead of being supported to continue their education.
“I’m looking at the BECE this last two months when they were writing. We recorded about 13 pregnancies. These little ones with those pregnancies, after t writing the parents are always quick to send them out for marriage, which is not proper because the child is not even ready for marriage. ” She lamented.
The two-day workshop brought together chiefs, religious leaders, government officials, and community members to deliberate on strategies to tackle child marriage.
The Obapa Development Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), launched the initiative in Navrongo as part of its 2025 anti–child marriage campaign. The foundation has since 2023 made seven “no child marriage” declarations across the Volta, Central, and Upper East Regions, including Bongo.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | Alexander Kubabom
