By Dominic Antwi Agyei
Kwadaso (Ash), July 7, GNA – The Kwadaso Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mrs. Mavis Achiaa Opoku, has stressed the need to provide adolescents with quality healthcare services to promote their overall wellbeing.
She said adolescents have a right to access quality health services that would improve their mental, emotional, physical, and social conditions.
Mrs. Opoku made the remarks at a stakeholders’ engagement on adolescent health, gender equality, and the provision of gender-based violence (GBV) services aimed at curbing the rising cases of abuse within communities.
The engagement formed part of an NCCE programme designed to empower communities and young people with knowledge on issues affecting adolescent health, gender equality, and the prevention of gender-based violence.
The initiative also sought to create safe spaces for dialogue on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, GBV, and gender equality.
According to Mrs. Opoku, the programme provided a platform for interaction among communities, healthcare providers, the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, the Business Advisory Centre (BAC), religious leaders, transport unions, traders, and members of the general public to discuss challenges affecting adolescent health.
The programme was held under the theme: “Empowering Communities and Youth for Adolescent Health, Gender Equality and Preventing Gender-Based Violence through Civic Engagement.”
It formed part of the NCCE’s ongoing civic education mandate to raise public awareness and encourage community participation in addressing challenges affecting adolescents.
The initiative is funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Mrs. Opoku urged parents to apply the knowledge gained from the engagement and called on all stakeholders to collaborate, noting that protecting adolescent health and preventing gender-based violence was a shared responsibility.
Mrs. Eunice Osei of the Ghana Health Service emphasized the importance of reproductive health education in preventing teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). She urged parents, particularly mothers, to build close and supportive relationships with adolescent girls to guide them towards making healthy life choices.
Mrs. Agartha Kusi of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, who spoke on responsible behaviour and child protection, encouraged parents to educate their children on discipline and respect.
Mr. Kwaku Korankye, Head of the Municipal Business Advisory Centre (BAC), took participants through viable business ideas and entrepreneurship opportunities. He highlighted low-capital ventures suitable for young people and explained that the BAC supported young entrepreneurs with business planning and access to funding.
Participants at the engagement pledged to serve as ambassadors for the campaign in their workplaces and homes.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Audrey Dekalu