By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ave Xevi (V/R), June 24, GNA – The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Akatsi North District, in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ghana, has organised a community engagement programme to empower young people and communities to promote adolescent health, gender equity and prevent gender-based violence (GBV).
The programme, was held at Ave Xevi on the theme: “Empowering Communities and Youth for Adolescent Health, Gender Equity and Preventing Gender-Based Violence through Civic Engagement.”
Mr Victor Brobbey, Deputy Commissioner in charge of Administration and Finance at the NCCE National Headquarters in Accra, attended the event.
Mr Seth Deenu, Akatsi North District Director of the NCCE, urged parents and community members to put into practice the knowledge acquired during the programme.
He called on all stakeholders to work collectively to promote adolescent health, gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence.
“Addressing these challenges requires a collective effort from parents, traditional leaders, teachers, health professionals and the entire community,” he said.
Madam Augustina Aku Modzoka, Chief School Improvement Support Officer (SISO) at the Akatsi North District Education Directorate, underscored the critical role of parents in ensuring the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of their children.
She noted that many parents had neglected their responsibilities due to demanding work schedules and other challenges, leaving children vulnerable to social problems.
“When children are not properly cared for and guided, the entire community and the nation suffer because healthy and responsible citizens are needed to drive development,” she said
Madam Modzoka also expressed concern about increasing cases of sexual harassment and abuse involving young people and criticised attempts by some families to settle such cases privately.
“Sexual abuse and related offences should never be resolved at home or through informal arrangements. Perpetrators must be allowed to face the full rigours of the law to serve as a deterrent to others,” she said.
Madam Matilda Dorco, a Public Health Nurse at the Akatsi North Health Directorate, highlighted the rising incidence of teenage pregnancy in the district and across the country.
She cautioned that without effective preventive measures, the trend could have serious social, economic and health consequences.
Madam Dorco urged parents to closely monitor and educate their children, especially girls, on the challenges associated with early parenthood and advocated access to family planning services for adolescents.
She clarified that enrolment in family planning programmes did not encourage sexual activity but helped prevent unintended pregnancies.
“Family planning methods may prevent pregnancy, but they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Young people must, therefore, make informed decisions,” she said.
The programme featured an interactive session for participants to ask questions and discuss issues affecting their communities.
Participants expressed appreciation to the organisers, describing the engagement as timely and insightful, and called for similar programmes to be sustained.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah