By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA
Kumasi Sept. 07, GNA – The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has intensified advocacy on adolescent health, gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Ashanti region.
The initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada, reached 2,709 people through 98 engagements with adolescent girls and other identifiable community groups in seven districts during the third quarter of 2026.
The beneficiaries comprised 348 males and 2,361 females, drawn from faith-based organisations, vocational training groups, community groups and other identifiable groups.
Madam Akua Zakaria, Deputy Regional Director of the NCCE, said the engagements formed part of efforts to empower adolescent girls with accurate information on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), while promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women and girls.
She said the programme was also intended to create safe spaces where adolescent girls and young women could openly discuss issues affecting their health, safety and well-being without fear of stigma or discrimination.
Madam Zakaria said discussions during the engagements focused on menstrual health and hygiene, family planning, teenage pregnancy, child marriage, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), gender equality, harmful social and cultural norms and various forms of GBV.
She said the interactive sessions enabled participants to share their experiences, challenge misconceptions and identify practical ways of addressing issues affecting adolescent girls in their communities.
According to her, the engagements also sought to build the capacity of participants to become advocates for adolescent health and positive behavioural change within their communities.
She said the programme had resulted in the identification and orientation of peer champions within some of the groups, providing a community-led mechanism for sustaining education on adolescent health, human rights and GBV prevention.
Madam Zakaria said one significant outcome of the programme was the dispelling of misconceptions about family planning and reproductive health.
She cited an engagement with seamstress apprentices in the Adansi Asokwa District, where participants initially expressed concerns that modern contraceptives could cause permanent infertility and other health complications.
Through the dialogue, the misconceptions were addressed and participants received information on family planning, menstrual health and where to access youth-friendly health services.
She said some participants subsequently volunteered to serve as peer champions to continue sharing accurate information with their colleagues.
The Deputy Regional Director said similar engagements also provided opportunities for women and girls to discuss cases of GBV within their communities and receive practical guidance on how to support affected persons and promote their safety.
She said the programme had demonstrated the importance of engaging established community groups and providing safe and comfortable spaces for discussions on sensitive issues relating to adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
Madam Zakaria recommended the provision of more educational materials and programme-branded T-shirts to improve the visibility of the initiative and its partners.
The beneficiary districts were Adansi Asokwa, Adansi Akrofuom, Asokore Mampong, Atwima Nwabiagya, Kwadaso, Kumasi Metropolitan, and Sekyere Central.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Yussif Ibrahim
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