By Dennis Peprah
Sunyani, (Bono), May 15, GNA – Some young women and families in the Sunyani Municipality have expressed varied opinions in accessing Family Planning (FP) services, though they remained worried about the surging cases of teenage pregnancy in the Bono Region.
Some of them called for intensified public education on FP services to protect girls against unwanted pregnancies, others said they viewed FP as reserve for couples to plan their births, and rather promoting such services could cause girls to engage in promiscuous lifestyle.
Available statistics from the Bono Regional Directorate of Health reveal that 14,877 teenage pregnancies were recorded in the region between 2021 and 2024.
More so, the region recorded 1,188 cases of abortion, mostly among girls between 15 and 19 years within the same period.
Speaking in a random interview at the Sunyani Central Business District (CBD) some of the parents described FP service as a life-line remedy that could reduce teenage pregnancies.
However, others disapproved the service, describing it as a means or justification for girls to engage in immoral sexual activities.
Mrs Paulina Nketiah, a parent, noted that FP “is not good” for the adolescent, however, it remained the best option to protect sexually active girls now.
She said many of the girls could not control their sexual desires, hence the need to inspire them to opt for the FP services protect them against pregnancies.
Mr Samuel Gyekye, another concern parent, expressed concern about peer pressure, putting many of the unsuspecting girls into unnecessary dangers.
He said nowadays girls of 10 years and above appeared biologically matured and sexually active too, partly due to the kind of diet they consumed, saying that increase their vulnerabilities.
Mr Gyekye said because of their body makeups, some between 10 and 15 years who could not consented to sex were exposed to early and premarital sexually practices and that lead them become pregnant.
He said pregnancies exposed many of the girls to health complications and also truncated the education of many of them too, and called on the Ghana Health Services (GHS) to increase awareness creation on the FP services.
That would empower and deepen the understanding of families on FP services, and thereby allow their sexually active girls to opt for the services and protect themselves.
However, Mrs Elizabeth Abekah, one of the parents spoke against the promotion of FP among teenagers, saying that could lead many of them to engage in promiscuity.
She said FP was only a reserve for couples and instead stressed to preach abstinence as the best alternative for girls. “I will not do any FP service no matter what”, Miss Joyce Ampong, 25 years old said.
He alleged that her elder sister went for one of the options, however, got pregnant and had several complications.
Ms Stella Kyere, 22 years old also shared the bad experience her elder sister went through after undertaking FP, saying that had since put fear in her for going for FP services.
“I also use the natural method of study my menstrual cycle so that I will not become pregnant now”, she stated.
For her, Ms Rejoice Henyo, 21 years old said she would not do the FP service, describing herself as sexually inactive.
When contacted, Mrs Rita Ansong, the Deputy Director of Nursing Services, Public Health at the Bono Regional Directorate of Health said the public health facilities had FP options good for the adolescent.
She said it was untrue that FP services had other health implications, and urged families to allow their girls to do the FP to protect themselves against pregnancies.
Highlighting some of the benefits, Ms Ansong said FP enabled girls to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health and thereby provided an opportunity for them to continue with their education.
She called for support towards eliminating some societal barriers, including certain myths and misconceptions, and outmoded cultural and religious beliefs obstructed girls and women from accessing the various methods of FP services Mrs Ansong expressed worry that the region’s FP service coverage remained lower, with 2024 recording only 39.58 percent of the expected women and girls in their reproductive age.
GNA
DEN/BM