By Frank Kwame Abbor
Ho, June 3, GNA-The National Youth Authority (NYA) has organized a sensitization workshop for commercial motorcycle (Okada) riders as advocates to help curb the alarming rates of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in parts of the Volta Region.
The initiative, held on the theme: “Okada Ride: Defending Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of the Youth,” aims to transform these young men from perceived culprits into community change-makers.
The programme is part of a broader strategy to involve the youth in championing sexual and reproductive health rights within their communities.
Recognizing the crucial role Okada riders play in the social fabric of these areas, the NYA sought to empower them with knowledge and advocacy skills on issues such as the prevention of STIs, teenage pregnancy, and responsible reproductive choices.
The maiden training session successfully brought together the first 50 Okada riders drawn from three districts, Adaklu, Akatsi North, and Central Tongu.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr.Yao Semorde,Volta Regional Director of the NYA, emphasized the importance of the intervention, pointing out that Okada riders were often blamed for contributing to rising teenage pregnancy cases in the region.
“These boys are always chasing after the young girls in the communities with juicy gifts, and at the end of the day, they impregnate them,” he asserted.
To address this, the NYA, in collaboration with the Municipal Health Directorates and with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), educated the participants on sexual health risks and prevention measures.
The training sessions focused on safe sexual practices, STI prevention, family planning options, and the broader importance of respecting and upholding the sexual and reproductive rights of young people, especially teenage girls.
The NYA has been actively involved in youth development initiatives in the region, promoting youth empowerment, leadership skills, and social responsibility programmes.
Some of the participants expressed their appreciation for the initiative, noting that it had not only enlightened them on issues they previously overlooked but also equipped them to serve as ambassadors of change within their respective communities.
“This has opened our eyes to things we took for granted. Now we know better and can advise our friends as well,” said one of the Okada riders, who spoke for the group
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah and Lydia Kukua Asamoah