{
  "id": 7805107,
  "title": "Huge challenges remain in tackling teenage pregnancy along coast – Gender Minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/huge-challenges-remain-in-tackling-teenage-pregnancy-along-coast",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T14:45:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/huge-challenges-remain-in-tackling-teenage-pregnancy-along-coast-gender-minister/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Gender Minister, highlighted ongoing progress in Ghana's efforts to curb teenage pregnancy, but stressed that significant challenges remain, particularly in coastal regions. She underscored that issues such as transactional sex, where girls exchange sexual favors for necessities, continue to exacerbate the problem in certain coastal areas. \"Teenage pregnancy, I think the situation has improved, but along the coast, we are seeing that there are huge challenges,\" Lartey stated during a Government Accountability Series event. She advocated for government initiatives like providing sanitary pads to schoolgirls, under a program initiated by President John Dramani Mahama, as a potential solution to some of the challenges faced by pregnant girls. Lartey also emphasized that teenage pregnancy should not automatically bar girls from pursuing their education, highlighting supportive measures by the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education aimed at aiding pregnant students. The Gender Minister pledged cooperation with various government bodies, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders to bolster education and awareness campaigns on teenage pregnancy prevention. She stressed the critical role of traditional and religious leaders in addressing the issue, especially in communities where the problem is prevalent. Lartey also urged families to avoid rejecting pregnant girls, cautioning that such rejection could exacerbate psychological and social harm. She recounted a case where a pregnant student faced psychological abuse, which negatively impacted her wellbeing, and called for stronger collaboration among families, communities, and the state to ensure that anti-teenage pregnancy measures do not compromise the educational prospects and overall welfare of affected girls. She expressed optimism that concerted efforts from the government, civil society, and other partners could effectively reduce teenage pregnancy rates and enhance awareness among young people.",
  "summary": "The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, says Ghana has made progress in reducing teenage pregnancy, but significant challenges persist in coastal communities.",
  "key_points": [
    "Teenage pregnancy rates remain high, especially along Ghana's coast.",
    "Transactional sex exacerbates teenage pregnancy issues in coastal regions.",
    "Government and civil society collaborate to prevent teenage pregnancy and support affected girls."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}