The Eastern Regional Multi-Sectorial Committee on Children, has expressed concern about the high rate of teenage pregnancies recorded in the region last year.

The committee has, therefore, called on the district assemblies to enforce the bye-laws on education, parental neglect and responsibilities to halt the trend.

According to statistics obtained from the Ghana Education Service (GES) by the Ghana News Agency(GNA), a total of 13,520 students between the ages of 12 and 15 got pregnant in the region last year.

The Nsawam Adoagyiri District recorded the highest of 935 pregnant girls, representing 19 per cent out of the total girls’ enrolment of 4,771, in the district.

It was followed by Birim Central - 797 pregnant girls out of 9,153 girls’ enrolment, Akyemansa District - 441 pregnant girls out of 5,659, Ayensuano District - 431 pregnant girls out of 3,888 , Akuapem North District - 535 pregnancies out of 7,772 and Asuogyaman District -436 pregnant girls out of the 6,067 girls enrolled in schools.

Others are Atiwa District - 678 teenage pregnancies out of 6,237 girls’ enrolment, Birim North District - 571 pregnancies out of 4,418 girls’ enrolment, Birim South District - 431 pregnancies out of 7,114 girls’ enrolment, Fanteakwa District - 478 pregnancies out of 6,131 girls’ enrolment, Dekyembuor District - 326 pregnancies out of 5,440 girls’ enrolment and Kwaebibrem District - 692 pregnancies out of 6,874 girls’ enrolment.

The Kwahu East District recorded 519 pregnancies out of 4,093 girls’ enrolment, East Akyem Municipal - 590 pregnancies out of 9,612 girls’ enrolment, Kwahu Afram Plains North District - 439 pregnancies out of 5,136 girls’ enrolment, Kwahu South District - 463 pregnancies out of 4,150 girls’ enrolment, Kwahu West Municipal - 724 pregnancies out of 5,517 girls’ enrolment and New Juaben Municipal - 615 pregnancies out of 9,960 girls’ enrolment.

Upper West Akyem District recorded 333 pregnancies out of 4,885, Lower Manya Krobo District - 576 pregnancies out of 5,439, West Akyem Municipal - 672 pregnancies out of 6,264, Upper Manya Krobo District - 420 pregnancies out of 3,955, Suhum Municipal - 517 pregnancies out of 5,157 and Yilo Krobo District had 414 pregnancies out of 5,019 girls enrolled.

The Akuapem South District and Kwahu Afram Plains South District recorded the lowest of 208 and 279 pregnancies respectively out of 2,076 and 5,640, respectively.

Mr Anthony Dontoh, the Regional Director of the Department of Children under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, told the GNA in an interview that, the committee in collaboration with the various departments, agencies and ministries on the committee would embark on vigorous sensitization and education in communities.

Meanwhile, the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) has initiated a programme to engage the assemblies and the traditional authorities in the region on reduction of the teenage pregnancies as well as part of maternal health issues in general.