Gloria Sarfo, a Ghanaian actress and TV celebrity, has raised concern over the startlingly high number of incidents of adolescent pregnancy in the nation and urged other celebrities and filmmakers to utilize their platforms to address the issue.
According to Ghana Health Service data, 102,673 teen pregnancies were reported in just the previous year. Gloria Sarfo emphasized the need to buck this trend.
Considering the extensive effects that teenage pregnancy has on the young individuals who become pregnant, their families, and the nation at large, she called on artists, especially filmmakers, to use their platform to support the efforts of the government and other relevant parties in addressing the issue.
Speaking exclusively to Graphic Showbiz following the screening of Elsie Production’s documentary “Unexpected,” which addresses teenage pregnancy, Gloria Sarfo underlined that group action is essential to not only reducing but maybe eradicating it.
“According to the Ghana Health Service data, 102,673 teenagers got pregnant in 2022 and that is very worrying. I will plead with our filmmakers, fellow celebrities with huge influence, and those on various social media platforms to use our voices and platforms to address this issue. Let us support the government in fighting this problem that is plaguing our country”, she stated.
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The Efiewura actress advised that as a way for filmmakers to successfully assist, they release films that explore the difficulties and causes of adolescent pregnancy. They ought to promote awareness and dialogue about possible group solutions for the problem.
“We can’t sit back as creatives with influential platforms and voices and look on as cases of teenage pregnancy soar, we have a pivotal role to play. We need to address this issue that is destroying the lives of our young ones, who are the future leaders of our country. Let’s come together to fight this canker,” she explained.
In addition, Ms. Sarfo urged stakeholders to welcome individuals in the spotlight as well as other creatives who want to work with them to address such urgent problems. She emphasized the significance of fostering an environment that makes these people feel appreciated and welcomed.
She cautioned that in the absence of acknowledgement and willingness on the part of stakeholders to involve creatives in cooperative endeavors, it may discourage them from initiating projects meant to assist government efforts to lessen the difficulties.
“The government and all our stakeholders must also give us (creatives) the platform and not stop us when we want to support a good cause. Most of our people will shy away from complementing the government’s efforts if they feel their ideas are not welcome or they are not needed”, she added.