Social media usage is ‘driving’ teenage pregnancy – Education Director

Central Region Education Director Dr. Juliet Dufie Otame cautioned that unmonitored social media use among students is contributing to the rising cases of teenage pregnancy in the region.

Her remarks came after a media report showed that over 30 teenage pregnancies were reported in Gomoa Ehyiam alone over the past year. According to health officials, the trend reflects a broader problem in the Gomoa West District, with new cases emerging every month.

A senior midwife at Gomoa Ehyiam, Bernice Amoah, said, “Every month, a case of teenage pregnancy is recorded. Within 2024, we recorded between 20 and 30 cases.”

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Dr. Otame said the increase is particularly among students at the senior high school level, urging parents and guardians to limit students’ access to mobile phones. She emphasized that students may use them to engage in harmful online activities.

The education director also expressed concerns about cases in which some teachers take advantage of female students.

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She stated, “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.”

Dr. Otame warned that teachers found in such conduct would face severe disciplinary actions.