A non-governmental organization, Visionary Norman Foundation, has kicked started an empowerment and transformation campaign in the Lambussie District of the Upper West Region.

The campaign dubbed 'Breaking the cycle of teenage pregnancy in Lambussie District in Upper West Region', was aimed at curbing teenage pregnancy and empowering adolescents in Suke, Samoa, Dindee, Chum, and other communities within the district.

It saw young females in the beneficiary communities provided with sanitary pads, reproductive health education, health screening exercises on HIV, malaria, pregnancy, Syphilis, and contraceptive services.

647 teenage pregnancies were recorded in the Lambussie District in 2022, representing 10.9% of the total antenatal care attendance in the district, while the teenage pregnancy prevalence rate in the Upper West Region stood at 11.48%.

This informed the decision by the Visionary Norman Foundation to embark on the empowerment campaign to curb incidents of teenage pregnancy.

The Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Damien Punguyire, lauded the initiative recognizing the surge in teenage pregnancies and early marriages that disrupt educational opportunities.

He decreed that men who would impregnate teenagers in the district would be fined, indicating the positive impact of the practice in other communities.

He implored stakeholders to support the directorate to effectively implement the decree to address the public health concern of teenage pregnancy.

The Director of the Visionary Norman Foundation, Dr. Abena Yeboah, said her outfit aims at ensuring that there is equal access to essential needs, such as education, healthcare, water, and development opportunities.

She conveyed her profound gratitude to the chiefs, the District Health Directorate of Lambussie, the GES Director, and the communities for their unwavering support towards the campaign.

“The Visionary Norman Foundation, a registered non-profit organization, is deeply committed to empowering individuals and communities by providing support, resources, and opportunities. With a vision to create a society where everyone has equal access to essential needs, education, healthcare, and growth opportunities, our motto 'Empowering youth, transforming communities', encapsulates our mission” said Dr. Yeboah, who is also the Ayawaso East Municipal Director of Health Services.

A Medical Doctor and Reproductive & Adolescent Counsellor, Dr. Sussie Anku, shed light on the prevalence of teenage pregnancy in the district and its far-reaching consequences for girls, communities, and the nation as a whole.

She urged parents, chiefs, and all stakeholders to join the campaign against child marriage and elopement of female teenagers, and emphasized the need for collective action and involvement to combat this menace effectively.
 
The Chief of Suke, Kworo Sakura Tigro Samoa, acknowledged the detrimental impact of teenage pregnancy on the future of young girls, and applauded the Foundation's commitment to supporting and empowering these girls through transformative initiatives.

The Lambussie District Education Director, John Baptist Kulah, shed light on the severe threat posed by teenage pregnancy to the future of teenage girls in the district.

He commended the Foundation for its tireless efforts to combat this pressing issue, recognizing the potential for school dropout rates to rise without such interventions.

“The Foundation's presence offers a beacon of hope, enabling adolescent girls to embrace the joys of childhood and adolescence unhindered by the burdens of early parenthood”, he said.
 
During the event, a teenager from a local school captivated the audience with a powerful poem, highlighting the intrinsic value, strength, and potential of girls.

The poem called for an end to the exploitation of their worth, emphasizing the importance of education and rejecting objectification based on physical attributes.
 
Through the Visionary Norman Foundation's outreach in the Lambussie District, a powerful transformation has begun.

By providing comprehensive reproductive health education, vital screenings, and access to contraceptive services, the Foundation is paving the way for a future where young girls can thrive without the burden of early parenthood.
 
With an unwavering dedication to equality, education, and access to essential resources, the Visionary Norman Foundation continues to inspire change and ignite hope in the hearts of adolescents in the Lambussie District and beyond.

Their transformative efforts promise a brighter future for the youth, ultimately leading to empowered communities and a more prosperous society.