By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, Aug. 27, GNA – A youth-led sexual and reproductive health campaign, dubbed “Safe to Thrive,” has reached 1,304 adolescents and young people across five districts in the Ashanti Region with education on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV prevention.
The campaign was organised by the African Youth and Adolescent Network Ghana (AfriYAN Ghana) with funding support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ghana and implemented in the Ashanti region by ProActif Global, a member organisation of AfriYAN Ghana.
The initiative covered Adansi Akrofuom, Adansi Asokwa, Asokore Mampong, Kwadaso and Atwima Nwabiagya, targeting both students and out-of-school adolescents.
A consolidated report on the campaign indicated that 1,259 students and 40 out-of-school adolescent girls and young women participated in the educational sessions.
Participants received information on sexual harassment, consent, healthy relationships, HIV prevention and treatment, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the correct and consistent use of condoms.
Through practical demonstrations, group discussions, and scenario-based exercises, participants engaged in conversations on sensitive issues that many young people often found difficult to discuss openly.
The HIV education sessions focused on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), Undetectable Equals Untransmittable (U=U) and condom use.
The campaign also revealed significant information gaps among some participants, with some indicating that they had never witnessed a proper condom-use demonstration, while others said they were learning about the U=U concept for the first time.
As part of efforts to link education with access to health services, more than 65 participants voluntarily underwent HIV screening during one of the outreach activities.
One reactive screening result was recorded, and the individual was referred for confirmatory testing and appropriate care.
Mr Nathaniel Akwasi Oduro, Executive Director of ProActif Global, said the campaign had demonstrated the importance of making adolescent SRHR programmes practical, open and non-judgmental.
“We cannot protect young people with silence. When adolescents do not understand consent, sexual harassment, HIV prevention or where to seek help, that information gap can become a vulnerability. Safe to Thrive was about turning information into practical knowledge,” he said.
Mr Oduro said the campaign had also highlighted the need for sustained investment in adolescent SRHR education.
“When a young person tells you they are learning about U=U or seeing a condom demonstration for the first time, you realise that we cannot rely on one-off sensitisation. Young people need consistent, practical, and non-judgmental information that they can actually use,” he said.
The campaign distributed 1,500 SRHR information brochures and created opportunities for participants to ask questions, challenge misconceptions, and discuss sensitive issues without fear of judgement.
Mr Oduro said the outcome of the campaign further reinforced the need to invest in youth-led organisations to expand access to quality interventions.
“We encourage donor agencies, foundations and philanthropists to invest in AfriYAN Ghana because its extensive network of youth-led organisations across Ghana provides an unmatched pathway to take quality interventions directly to young people.
“For donors looking for reach, local ownership and measurable impact, investing in that network means one investment can travel much further and engage young people where they live, learn and work,” he noted.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Yussif Ibrahim