By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Ho (V/R), Oct. 20, GNA – Mr Samuel Atsu Klu, Volta Regional Director of the Complementary Education Agency (CEA), has underscored the importance of equipping youth leaders with practical knowledge and skills to promote reproductive health education and prevent gender-based violence (GBV) among adolescents.
He said this after a three-day capacity-building training programme organised in Ho for selected youth leaders under a collaborative initiative involving the CEA, Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Mr Klu told the Ghana News Agency that resource persons from the GHS and PPAG facilitated sessions on reproductive health, social development and protection issues affecting adolescents and young people.
The participants received training on the human reproductive system, growth and development, personal hygiene, decision-making, relationships, marriage and commitment, sex and gender, and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence and other harmful practices.
Other topics covered included parenting, pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, contraception, family planning services, drug abuse, menopause and andropause.
Mr Klu said the sessions were designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the physical, emotional and social dimensions of adolescent development while equipping them with practical approaches to addressing sensitive issues in their communities.
He said special attention was given to informed decision-making, gender equality, positive social norms and access to appropriate health and protection services.
The Regional Director noted that the training also sought to strengthen participants’ ability to identify adolescents requiring additional support and refer them to appropriate service providers.
He emphasised that collaboration among youth leaders, out-of-school club leaders, the CEA, UNFPA, and other stakeholders was critical to promoting adolescent health, safety and development.
A highlight of the programme was a micro-facilitation exercise during which participants were grouped and assigned topics to facilitate.
The exercise enabled them to demonstrate their understanding of the subjects covered and apply the facilitation techniques acquired during the training.
Through group presentations, the participants demonstrated their ability to communicate information effectively, engage audiences, and translate theoretical knowledge into practical learning experiences.
Mr Klu said the practical component was particularly important because participants were expected to use the knowledge acquired to engage adolescents and other young people in their respective communities.
He said the training further reinforced the role of adolescent youth leaders and out-of-school club leaders in supporting adolescent safe spaces and promoting respectful, inclusive and protective environments for young people.
Mr Klu described the completion of the workshop as an important step towards strengthening community-level efforts to promote reproductive health education and prevent gender-based violence in the Volta Region.
He said the CEA’s partnership with UNFPA highlighted the importance of equipping young people with relevant knowledge and practical skills to support their personal development and contribute positively to their communities.
The Regional Director said the success of the initiative would depend largely on the ability of the trained youth leaders to translate the knowledge gained into meaningful peer education, responsible leadership, early identification of challenges and appropriate referrals for adolescents requiring assistance.
He called for sustained partnerships among government institutions, development partners, traditional authorities, health professionals and community leaders to ensure that adolescents were informed, empowered and protected.
Some participants in an interaction with GNA, expressed appreciation to the CEA, UNFPA and the facilitators for the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the training.
They pledged to share the information with their peers, club members and community members, expressing optimism that access to accurate reproductive health information would help young people make informed decisions, understand their rights and appreciate the importance of preventing gender-based violence.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukuka Asamoah