676 Volta students pregnant in the era of coronavirus

Regional news for Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Source: GNA

2020-11-10

A total of 676 school-age children in the Volta region have been pregnant during the coronavirus period, which runs from March to September, according to a report from the Ghana Education Service (GES).

Of the number, 176 of the pregnancies were among primary school students, 325 in secondary (JHS) and 175 in secondary (SHS).

A total of 285 nursing mothers are also registered in the school, the majority in the JHS and SHS.

Keta had the highest pregnancies with 92, Hohoe followed with 86 and Ketu South came in third with 82 pregnancies.

Mr. Gideon Tsawodzi, GES Volta Regional Guide Coordinator, disclosed the data at a meeting of the Volta Regional Child Protection Committee.

He said the situation was endemic and that late admission to the school had been identified as the main cause.

Tsawodzi said that gaps in guidance and counseling also remain a key factor.

He said the communities had also become sexually promiscuous and were unable to safeguard the girl’s sexual rights.

Ms Millicent Dakeh, GES Regional Girls Officer, said the figures could be higher as schools were not in session and some girls had left their locations during the survey.

He said that some pregnancies could also be covered by parents and guardians.