Obuasi: Decline in teenage pregnancies due to advocacies, empowerment programmes – NGO

Louisa Amoah, the Executive Director of Obuasi-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Girls Shall Grow, has confirmed a reduction in cases of teenage pregnancy in Obuasi.

She attributed the drop in teenage pregnancy cases to the tremendous efforts of NGOs like Girls Shall Grow, which have put in place advocacy and empowerment programs to ensure that girls stay away from situations that could get them pregnant.

Amoah said that Girls Shall Grow has succeeded in building the self-esteem, confidence, and resilience of the Girl Child through mentoring programs where girls are provided with guidance and support to help them navigate challenges and make positive choices in life.

She conceded that the war against discrimination and marginalization of the Girl Child can only be won if all stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and religious leaders, join forces to intensify the campaign for women’s empowerment.

Amoah said that the high cost of treatment for renal diseases prevents most patients from affording it, which worsens their plight

“The cost of dialysis has been a major problem to patients who have to go through that process, and as a Girl Child advocate, we see a lot of young girls develop kidney diseases lately hence our call for the government to consider adding the treatment of the disease into the NHIS,” she said.

The participants who attended the program, mostly drawn from first and second-cycle institutions in Obuasi, lauded the Girls Shall Grow for their efforts in empowering the girl child over the years.