Teenage pregnancies rise in South Tongu district, Ghana — MyJoyOnline

The South Tongu district in Ghana’s Volta Region has recorded an increase in teenage pregnancies. According to MyJoyOnline, around 190 such cases were registered at various healthcare facilities in the district from January to June 2026. During the same period in 2025, there were 166 cases.

Rate exceeded national threshold

South Tongu district public health nurse Rachel Elikem Zevu said the district’s teenage pregnancy rate stands at 11.6%. This is above the national threshold of 11.5% and the 9.5% rate recorded last year.

According to her, the district, together with partners, has launched an intensive educational campaign for teenagers. It is intended to raise young people’s awareness of well-being and the characteristics of adolescence. Zevu also linked efforts to combat teenage pregnancy with preventing psychoactive substance use and other problems affecting youth development.

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Traditional leaders’ initiative

The district’s traditional leaders expressed concern over the situation. Fievie queen mother Nanega Mariama Fomedigbe II named lack of awareness, unemployment and indiscipline among the causes. She also noted that unemployed young people may be exposed to peer pressure, use illicit drugs and engage in sexual relations.

The report also lists poverty, insufficient sex education, sexual and gender-based violence, and unprotected sexual contact among the factors contributing to high teenage pregnancy rates.

The Nanega Development Initiative aims to reduce the number of such cases in the district. Fomedigbe II said the campaign is planned to be expanded to 17 districts in the Volta Region in order to mobilize resources to combat teenage pregnancy.