By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), Sept. 29, GNA – The Steering Committee of the Canada-funded Adolescent Girls Programme (AGP) has visited the Volta Region to assess the implementation, progress and impact of the programme aimed at empowering adolescent girls and young women.
The AGP is jointly implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Government of Ghana, to enable adolescent girls and young women to realise their rights, exercise agency and access quality services.
The Steering Committee made the remark during a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) on Monday as part of a three-day field engagement with programme partners, beneficiaries and implementing institutions.
Ms Lianna Baur, Senior Development Officer at the Canadian High Commission, said Canada’s investment was helping to create opportunities for adolescent girls to learn, thrive and contribute to their communities.
She said the support was based on the recognition that when girls were healthy, safe, educated and empowered, families became stronger, communities more resilient, and countries better positioned for sustainable development.
Ms Baur said she was encouraged by the integrated approach to the programme, noting that the wellbeing of adolescent girls could not be addressed through a single sector.
She said access to quality education, health services, protection, life skills and economic opportunities must work together to address the various challenges confronting girls.
“We remain committed as Canada to working with the Government of Ghana, UNFPA and UNICEF to ensure that every adolescent girl has the opportunity to realise her potential, make informed choices and contribute to Ghana’s future prosperity,” she said.
Dr Emmily Naphambo, the Deputy Representative of UNFPA Ghana, said the field visit was to enable the Steering Committee to assess how the programme was translating from plans and policies into practical interventions on the ground.
She said the team would engage implementing partners, beneficiaries and regional stakeholders to determine the progress being made, identify challenges and learn what was working effectively.
Dr Naphambo said the programme adopted an integrated approach because no single institution could address the multiple vulnerabilities confronting adolescent girls, including education, sexual and reproductive health, youth participation, harmful cultural practices and norms, and the policy environment.
She said the team would spend three days in the region meeting various partners and beneficiaries to understand the changes taking place and obtain feedback to strengthen implementation.
Dr Naphambo expressed appreciation to Global Affairs Canada for its continued support for initiatives aimed at improving the lives of adolescent girls in Ghana.
Alhaji Mohammed Avona Akape, the Chief Director of the VRCC, expressed appreciation to the Steering Committee, UNFPA, UNICEF, the media and other partners for visiting the region.
He said the visit provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration, assess progress, identify challenges, and share experiences from the field.
Alhaji Akape said the success of development interventions depended on effective collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, the media and beneficiary communities.
He said the Volta Region remained committed to supporting programmes aimed at improving the welfare and quality of life of women, children, young people and vulnerable groups.
The Chief Director stressed the importance of strong institutions, community ownership, accountability, effective monitoring and continuous stakeholder engagement in achieving sustainable development.
He urged the visiting team to engage openly with regional and local stakeholders and listen carefully to the experiences of beneficiaries and implementing institutions.
He said the findings and observations from the field exercise should help identify areas requiring greater attention and strengthen implementation of the programme.
“The Regional Coordinating Council, through the relevant regional departments and agencies, and in collaboration with the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, remain ready to facilitate the work of the team,” he said.
Alhaji Akape urged stakeholders to regard the field visit not merely as an assessment exercise, but as an opportunity for learning, reflection and improvement.
“Where there are successes, let us document and build on them. Where there are gaps, let us identify practical solutions. And where there are challenges, let us work together to address them,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo