Ghana intensifies fight against child marriage and adolescent pregnancy

Ghana is intensifying efforts to combat child marriage and adolescent pregnancy to protect the rights and health of young girls. The Ministry for Gender, Children and Social Protection has committed to strengthening gender-responsive interventions, focusing on economic empowerment, access to reproductive health information, and keeping girls in school to reduce vulnerability.

Data from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) reveals that 53,415 adolescent pregnancies were recorded at health facilities between January and July 2026. This includes 1,501 cases involving girls aged 10 to 14. The figures suggest a monthly average of approximately 7,000 pregnancies among girls aged 15 to 19, approaching the national annual estimate of over 100,000.

Regional data highlights significant disparities, with the Savannah Region recording 117.5 births per 1,000 adolescent girls, exceeding the Sub-Saharan African average. The Upper East Region also reported over 2,400 adolescent pregnancies within the first five months of the year. Health officials emphasize that maintaining school attendance is a critical factor in reducing these rates.