The Akatsi South Municipality has reported a troubling increase in teenage pregnancies, with 314 cases documented in 2025, surpassing the national target aimed at reducing such incidents. This development has sparked concern among health officials, who are striving to address the issue through various initiatives.
During the 2025 health performance review held at the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly Hall, Miss Justine Sefakor Alornyo, the Municipal Director of Health Services, revealed that six girls aged between 10 and 14 were among those pregnant. Additionally, 269 teenagers gave birth, with five in the same young age bracket, contributing to a rate of 12.1 percent, which exceeds the national goal of keeping it below 11.5 percent.
In terms of antenatal care, the municipality showed some progress, registering 2,594 pregnant women in 2025, marking a 65.9 percent coverage rate, an increase from 58.4 percent in 2024. Furthermore, the area saw 2,071 supervised deliveries, slightly up from 1,997 the year before. All newborns received essential vaccinations, including BCG, Penta, and Measles-Rubella.
Miss Alornyo attributed these advancements to ongoing educational campaigns and community advocacy, which aim to raise awareness about reproductive health. However, the municipality also faced challenges with HIV, identifying 151 cases, including 15 among pregnant women, all of whom are currently receiving treatment. Additionally, 18 infants exposed to the virus are undergoing prophylactic treatment.
Health officials managed 60 cases of tuberculosis and investigated six suspected measles cases, along with two yellow fever instances and one case of Acute Flaccid Paralysis, all of which tested negative.
In her address, Miss Alornyo expressed gratitude to stakeholders, especially the Municipal Assembly, for their support in enhancing health services. In 2025, the Assembly improved water supply to local health facilities and provided essential equipment to several community health planning and services (CHPS) compounds. Ongoing construction projects include new CHPS facilities and renovations of existing health centers.
Despite these efforts, infrastructure and transportation challenges continue to pose significant hurdles for health service delivery in the municipality, which is served by 40 health facilities, including two hospitals and numerous clinics.
