Students deplore promiscuity among colleagues

Some students of the West Mamprusi District in the Northern Region have expressed concern about the increasing rate of sexual promiscuity among their colleagues, which has resulted in unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

They said most female students were falling prey to sexual advances from males who are much older than them due to monetary and material considerations.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a sexual and reproductive health forum organised by the Coalition of Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), some of the students appealed to stakeholders, especially the law enforcement agencies, to help reverse the trend.

The forum was aimed at  deepening the understanding of students and members of the community on sexually transmitted diseases and its effects.

Chief Alhassan Amidu,  Regional Population Officer, told the participants that the fertility rate in the region was high due to unwanted pregnancies and minors getting involved in sexual activities during the early stages of their lives.

He said getting involved in sexual activities at a younger age left females  disadvantaged  because they were likely to get cervical cancer and other related diseases, which could be injurious to their health. 

Chief Amidu observed that more children  were giving birth because rape, defilement and disregard for morality had become very common practice among Ghanaian societies.

He said: “Virginity is no more a pride.”

He advised students to concentrate  on education through which they could achieve  their future careers.

The Regional Chairman of the Coalition of NGOs in Health, Mr Moses Azabu, said the body had more than 500 members, who were working in various health thematic areas which included TB, malaria, HIV and AIDS, hepatitis B, immunisation and reproductive health.

STAR-Ghana, a multi-donor pooled organisation, is funding activities of the Coalition. - GNA