Health and Education Officials highlight ongoing child protection challenges in Navrongo

Health and education authorities in the Navrongo Municipality have raised concern over the continued prevalence of adolescent pregnancy, child marriage and related health complications, despite ongoing interventions aimed at protecting girls.

The concerns were expressed during a review meeting held at the Navrongo Chief’s Palace on Thursday, June 25, where traditional leaders and stakeholders assessed progress on commitments to end child marriage in the area.

The Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr. Edmund Nellic Nyanwura, described adolescent pregnancy as a critical public health challenge, stressing that girls below 20 remain particularly vulnerable to pregnancy and childbirth complications.

“For us in health, we are very particular about adolescents, especially those below 20 years, their marriage, their pregnancy, their labour,” he said.

Dr. Nyanwura revealed that maternal deaths linked to adolescent pregnancies continue to occur, citing cases involving very young girls.

“I saw seven women who passed on in the course of pregnancy and labour, and two of them were 15 years old,” he disclosed, adding that one of the cases involved severe complications after a caesarean section and another linked to unsafe abortion.

He further noted that health data shows persistent adolescent deliveries in the municipality, though with slight improvements in recent figures.

“In last year, those below 15 years, we had seven who delivered in our municipality. So far this year, it is only one we have recorded,” he stated.

According to him, the municipality continues to record a high number of deliveries among adolescents aged 15 to 19, underscoring the need for sustained prevention and health education efforts.

Dr. Nyanwura said interventions such as adolescent-friendly centres, supported by partners including WaterAid and Right to Play, are helping to reduce risks and reshape young people’s aspirations.

“These adolescents are being mentored so they don’t just think of marriage, but aspire to greater heights,” he explained.

He added that health facilities are being expanded with trained personnel and resources to improve access to adolescent reproductive health services.

On his part, the Deputy Director of Education (Planning), Maxwell Adapesah, said child marriage remains a persistent challenge, particularly in remote communities.

“This particular issue has been there for so many years. There have been so many attempts,” he said, noting that education authorities frequently receive reports of schoolgirls being taken across borders for marriage.

He described cases where efforts to rescue affected girls and return them to school were unsuccessful due to repeated escape and community resistance.

“Sometimes we have to get to the police… but in most cases, when you report to the police, they tell you they don’t have means of transport,” he noted, highlighting logistical constraints affecting enforcement.

Adapesah said schools continue sensitisation programmes, girls’ clubs and counselling initiatives to keep students focused on education.

“We go around to talk to the girls to let them understand the need to take time, have patience, and complete their education,” he said.

He also pointed to ongoing support from development partners, including UNICEF, which has provided educational materials for vulnerable girls at risk of dropping out or early marriage.

However, he warned that poverty, weak parental support and community silence continue to undermine progress.

“We are fortunate UNICEF came to our aid… but the packages are not enough, so we prioritise the very needy ones,” he explained.

The officials called for stronger collaboration between traditional leaders, parents, security agencies and development partners to address the deep-rooted social and economic drivers of child marriage.

The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community-based action and reduce adolescent pregnancy and child marriage in the Navrongo Traditional Area.

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