In a unique show of encouragement and recognition, the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Ghana has honored 20 teenage girls for maintaining their virginity.
The celebration took place over the weekend during a Thanksgiving service in Wenchi, Bono Region, drawing widespread attention and sparking conversations about morality, culture, and youth development.
The girls, aged between 13 and 16, were presented with undisclosed sums of money as part of the church’s gesture to support their upkeep and encourage them to continue living a life of chastity until marriage.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Nana Amponsah Poku, the Wenchi West District Coordinator of the Young Adventist Women Ministries, praised the honorees for their discipline and commitment to their values. She urged them to remain steadfast in their decision and be wary of negative peer influence as they journey into adulthood.
“God created you uniquely beautiful, and you must not allow anyone to lure you into breaking your virginity before marriage,” she advised. Mrs. Poku also stressed the importance of choosing friends wisely in the coming year, noting the role of good companionship in maintaining positive life choices.
Drawing from traditional values, Mrs. Poku highlighted ancient rites such as Bragoro and Dipo — customary puberty rites once practiced to preserve girls’ purity and curb teenage pregnancies. She lamented the decline of these cultural practices, which she said played a significant role in nurturing responsible young women.
