Bolgatanga: The Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, the Catholic Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, has raised alarms over the increasing incidence of teenage pregnancies in the Upper East Region. He voiced his concerns during a homily at a ceremony celebrating the holy matrimony of 32 couples at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish in Bolgatanga, describing the trend as a moral and societal crisis that necessitates immediate intervention from families, communities, and institutions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Bishop Agyenta highlighted the troubling reality that more children, particularly girls as young as 15, are becoming mothers, signaling a collapse in family structures and moral accountability. “Why should a child become a mother?” he questioned, emphasizing the need for introspection within families. He recounted distressing stories of young girls who became pregnant and had to discontinue their education, with some already mothers as they prepared for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The bishop shared that a significant number of these girls were pregnant shortly before the exams, expressing concern over the long-term impact on their futures. His remarks coincide with reports of rising teenage pregnancies in parts of Ghana, especially in the Upper East Region. For example, before the recent 2025 BECE, 21 girls were visibly pregnant, and 17 were lactating mothers, alongside others identified during the examination process.
Bishop Agyenta attributed the issue to a broad neglect of family responsibility and society’s failure to prioritize the proper upbringing of children. He emphasized that a healthy society starts with robust families where children receive love, care, discipline, and guidance. He criticized society’s tendency to complain about its state without examining family dynamics, asserting that societal transformation must begin at home.
The Most Reverend Agyenta called for a renewed commitment from the Church, community leaders, and parents towards the moral and spiritual development of children. He reiterated the Catholic Church’s teachings on marriage and family life, stressing the sacredness of love between a man and a woman, rooted in lifelong commitment and mutual respect. He urged families to offer necessary protection and guidance to their children, emphasizing that teenage pregnancy is not only a social issue but also a spiritual and moral one.
He encouraged young people to focus on their education and recognize their dignity and purpose, reminding them of their role in society to grow, learn, and take responsibility.