Central Region Education Director, Dr. Juliet Dufie Otame, has warned that unmonitored social media use among students is contributing to rising cases of teenage pregnancy in the region.
Her comments follow a Citi News report indicating that more than 30 teenage pregnancies were recorded in Gomoa Ehyiam alone over the past year. Health officials say the trend reflects a broader problem in the Gomoa West District, with new cases reported every month.
“Every month, a case of teenage pregnancy is recorded. Within 2024, we recorded between 20 and 30 cases,” said Bernice Amoah, a senior midwife at Gomoa Ehyiam.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily, Dr. Otame noted that the increase is particularly prevalent among Senior High School students. She urged parents to restrict students’ access to mobile phones, stressing that many use them to engage in harmful online activities.
While highlighting social media misuse as a major factor, she also expressed concern about cases in which some teachers exploit female students.
“Some of the teachers take advantage of the girls. You know these girls; most of them are vulnerable and ignorant, so they lure them. Sometimes too it is also the issue of social media. Most of the students have phones.
“We have preached this to parents who don’t give phones to the students. Let them come. Phones are not to be used in schools. You know, these are our kids; they are always there for the wrong reasons. Some of the teachers lure them into them and then put them into such a relationship,” she stated.
Dr. Otame cautioned that teachers found engaging in such conduct would face strict disciplinary action.
C/R: Gomoa Ehyiam records over 30 teenage pregnancies in 2024
