By Kingsley Mamore, GNA
Dambai (O/R), June 10, GNA-The Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC), through the Department of Gender, support from United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) under the (CPs) programme has commenced a capacity-building programme for Community Parent Network Advocacy Support Groups (CoPNAGs) to promote responsible parenting and help reduce adolescent pregnancy, child marriage, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the region.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to address adolescent health and child protection challenges confronting communities across the Oti Region.
Mrs Esther Hammond, Acting Oti Regional Director of the Department of Gender, said from Ghana Health Service data, the region recorded 2,995 cases of adolescent pregnancy in 2024, representing 11.3 per cent of all pregnancies reported during the period.
She noted that despite various interventions, adolescent pregnancy remained a major concern in the region.
Mrs Hammond disclosed that statistics for 2025 showed a regional adolescent pregnancy rate of 10.25 per cent, with Nkwanta South recording the highest prevalence at 12.4 per cent, followed by Krachi East with 10.6 per cent and Nkwanta North with 10.1 per cent.
She said recognising the critical role of parents and caregivers in the upbringing, guidance and protection of adolescents, the programme was training 30 selected parents drawn from six communities.
The participants were equipped with knowledge and practical skills in parental responsibility, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR), child marriage prevention, gender equality promotion, and the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence.
Mrs Hammond said a key component of the programme was the establishment and strengthening of Community Parent Network Advocacy Support Groups within participating communities.
She explained that the groups would serve as community-based advocacy structures to promote positive parenting practices, strengthen parent-child communication, support adolescent development, and spearhead local efforts to address adolescent pregnancy, child marriage, and SGBV.
The training was facilitated through presentations, group discussions, experience-sharing sessions and practical exercises aimed at enhancing participants’ understanding of adolescent development, child protection issues, adolescent rights and effective community advocacy strategies.
Mrs Hammond expressed optimism that empowering parents with the requisite knowledge and skills would contribute significantly to improving child welfare outcomes and creating safer environments for adolescents.
She said participants were expected to develop community action plans and emerge as advocates and champions for the protection, empowerment and holistic development of young people.
As part of the programme, Mr Innocent Komla Agbolosu, Oti Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, took participants through parenting styles and positive discipline approaches aimed at curbing sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage and adolescent pregnancy.
He urged parents and caregivers to adopt positive parenting and discipline methods as effective tools for preventing abuse, exploitation and harmful social practices.
Mr Agbolosu stressed that parents played a crucial role in shaping the attitudes, behaviour and future of their children, describing effective parenting as one of the strongest safeguards against violence and child protection violations.
He explained the various parenting styles and their effects on children’s development, emphasising the need for parents to combine discipline with care, guidance and open communication.
According to him, harsh and punitive disciplinary measures often create fear and resentment among children, making them vulnerable to negative influences and less likely to report abuse or seek support when faced with challenges.
Mr Agbolosu encouraged parents to embrace positive discipline approaches that promote mutual respect, trust, understanding and accountability while protecting the dignity and rights of children.
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining regular communication with adolescents, understanding the challenges they face and providing appropriate guidance on issues relating to sexual and reproductive health, education and personal development.
The Regional Director further called on parents to challenge harmful cultural norms and practices that contribute to child marriage and gender-based violence, stressing that every child deserved the opportunity to grow, learn and realise his or her full potential in a safe and supportive environment.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade