By: Samali Abdul-Razak
THE MINISTRY of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has trained 30 parents from six communities in the Oti Region on responsible parenting.
The training formed part of efforts to promote child protection, reduce adolescent pregnancies, prevent child marriage, and address sexual and gender-based violence in the region.
Speaking at the programme, the Acting Oti Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Mrs. Esther Hammond, said the initiative was aimed at equipping parents with the knowledge and skills needed to guide and support their children, especially during adolescence.
She disclosed that data from the Ghana Health Service showed that the Oti Region recorded 2,995 adolescent pregnancies in 2024, representing 11.3 per cent of the total cases recorded nationwide.
According to her, the situation remained worrying in 2025, with the regional average standing at 10.25 per cent. Mrs. Hammond noted that Nkwanta South recorded the highest rate of adolescent pregnancies at 12.4 per cent, followed by Krachi East with 10.6 per cent and Nkwanta North with 10.1 per cent.
She described the figures as alarming and stressed the need for parents to take a more active role in educating and guiding their children on sexual and reproductive health issues.
Mrs. Hammond emphasized that many of the teenage pregnancies recorded could be linked to poor parental supervision and communication. She therefore urged parents to pay closer attention to their children and provide the necessary guidance during their formative years.
The training covered topics such as effective communication between parents and children, discipline and boundary setting, the dangers of early sexual activity, and ways to support the physical, emotional and mental well-being of children.
Participants also shared experiences and discussed practical ways of strengthening family relationships and improving parenting skills. Many participants expressed appreciation for the programme, describing it as timely and beneficial.
A participant said the training had helped him understand the important role parents play in shaping the behaviour and future of their children.
Another participant noted that the programme had provided valuable tools for better communication with children and a deeper understanding of their needs.
The Oti Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, Mr. Innocent Komla Agbolosu, said parents play a vital role in shaping the future of their children and must therefore be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
He called for similar programmes to be extended to more communities across the country to help build safer and healthier environments for children.
The Ministry’s responsible parenting initiative is expected to contribute significantly to the protection, development and well-being of children in Ghana.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
