The Volta Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Thursday launched a campaign in Ho to generate interest and increase the acceptance rate of Family Planning, especially among the youth in the region.

The campaign, under the theme "Make An Informed Choice Now and Prevent HIV/AIDS and Unwanted Pregnancies", is expected to curb teenage pregnancies and the prevalent rate of HIV/AIDS in the region.

Dr Winfred Ofosu, Senior Medical Officer, Public Health, told journalists at a briefing that the campaign is also to stem the number of maternal deaths, which has been rising in the past three years in the region.

He said within the first half of 2003, 57 maternal deaths were recorded in the region.

Dr Ofosu said "as much as 14 per cent of all pregnancies in the region are by teenagers making it crucial to increase family planning awareness and acceptance rate among the youth.''

He said while the awareness rate in the region is between 90 and 95 per cent, acceptance rate is 24.8 per cent in 2002 and 11.4 per cent for the first half of 2003.

Dr Ofosu said it is programmed to raise the acceptance rate to 30 per cent by the close of 2004.

He said under the programme all districts in the region would organise similar campaigns, while durbars are organised in all communities and workplaces.

Dr John Eleeza, the Acting Regional Director of Health Services, said negative traditional and cultural beliefs continue to hinder the acceptance and practice of contraception.

He said the number of reports of illegal abortions were on the increase in the region but did not give figures.

Miss Regina Cudjoe, Regional Matron urged that messages of Family Planning Educators be repackaged to address the apprehensions of people some of whom think Family Planning infringed on their liberties.