Social media influences, pressure to own expensive items and inadequate parental supervision are among the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy among some girls, according to the Founder of the Protect Our Future Foundation, Susana Anutiga. Ms. Anutiga said some adolescent girls are increasingly influenced by lifestyles displayed on social media platforms such as TikTok, creating pressure to acquire expensive clothes, hairstyles, smartphones and other material possessions.
Speaking on Metro TV amid growing concerns over adolescent pregnancy in Ghana, she said the desire to meet these material expectations could lead some girls into relationships with older men who have the financial means to provide such items. She said the observations were based on engagements her organisation has had with girls, parents and communities in the Upper East Region.
“Some of the girls are influenced by what they see on social media,” she said, noting that the pressure to keep up with lifestyles portrayed online could encourage some girls to seek quick ways of making money. Ms. Anutiga also identified parental pressure as another contributing factor. She said some parents compare their daughters with other girls who return home with expensive belongings without considering how they acquired them.
“Sometimes parents themselves put pressure on these girls because they see other girls bringing expensive things home and they want their own children to also have them,” she said. She, however, acknowledged that poverty remains a significant factor in some cases, particularly among families struggling to provide their children with basic necessities.
According to Ms. Anutiga, her organisation has encountered situations in which economic hardship has led some parents to encourage their daughters to live with men and perform domestic duties, potentially exposing the girls to sexual exploitation. She further noted that although some girls are aware that sexual activity can result in pregnancy, they may not fully understand the broader consequences until they become pregnant.
Ms. Anutiga warned that teenage pregnancy can have serious long-term effects, particularly on girls’ education. She explained that many girls are forced to interrupt their studies to give birth and subsequently face the challenge of reintegrating into the education system. “When a girl becomes pregnant, her education is often disrupted. She may have to leave school to give birth before returning to continue her studies,” she said.
To address the issue, the Protect Our Future Foundation has intensified its engagement with schools, parents and communities, educating young people about the risks associated with teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS while encouraging them to remain in school.
The foundation has also expanded its outreach to marketplaces, where it engages mothers directly and encourages them to take a more active interest in their children’s lives. The initiative also promotes open communication within families, creating an environment where young people can discuss their challenges and concerns with their parents.
As part of its efforts to empower and inspire girls, the foundation will hold the second edition of its girls’ conference on October 10, 2026, at Natshor in Bolgatanga. Ms. Anutiga said the conference will give young people an opportunity to interact with accomplished women who have overcome various challenges to build successful careers, allowing participants to draw inspiration from their experiences.
She said the conference is intended to expose girls to positive role models while encouraging them to prioritise education, skills development and long-term aspirations rather than succumb to social media pressures and material expectations.
