50 teenage mothers return to school after childbirth

At least, 50 teenage mothers in the Northern Region have returned to school after receiving support from ActionAid Ghana and Songtaba, both non-government organisations (NGOs), through the Re-entry Policy of the Ghana Education Service (GES).

Out of the figure, who were supported in 2018 with school uniforms, sandals, bags and exercise books, and an engagement with their parents to encourage them to attend school regularly, 38 of them have remained in school and at various stages of their education.

They were from the Nanumba North Municipality and Nanumba South District of the region.

Beatrice Biije, a Programmes Officer at ActionAid Ghana, announced this at a regional stakeholders’ forum in Tamale, on the Re-entry Policy.

It was attended by key stakeholders in the education sector including representatives of NGOs, civil society organisations and some of the teenage mothers, who were supported to return to school.

Mrs Biije said the initiative had not only contributed to the retention of the teenage mothers in school but also increased awareness of the Re-entry Policy as well as helped to reduce stigma and discrimination against the girls.

Mr. Justin Bayor, Head of Programmes, Campaigns and Innovation at ActionAid Ghana, said the forum formed part of efforts to call on the GES and other stakeholders to champion the implementation of the Re-entry Policy.

He said it was also to call on government and other stakeholders to prioritise providing the enabling environment for pregnant girls to help whip up the interest of teenage mothers to stay in school and complete their education.

He said the effective implementation of the policy required the provision of structures such as day-care centres, which assured that the safety and security of the babies were catered for.

He said ActionAid Ghana and its partners were interested in the policy because of its role towards attaining Sustainable Development Goals four which, sought to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.

Linda Amoah, Northern Regional Education Officer in charge of Girls Education, urged parents and communities to support the policy to help minimise the school dropout rate amongst girls.

Hajia Adam Lamnatu, Executive Director of Songtaba, an NGO, called for more advocacy and awareness on the policy and urged government to invest more in providing the needed facilities to ensure that girls were comfortable to stay in school.

Ms. Jerti Immaculate, a beneficiary of the intervention, who is currently pursuing a degree course in midwifery at the University, said but for ActionAid Ghana and partners, she would have been a school dropout.

She encouraged girls not to give up on their dreams even after getting pregnant whilst in school.