News
PPAG, UNFPA engage adolescents on sexual, reproductive health
The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), in partnership with the UNFPA, has organised a targeted sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education programme for adolescent boys and girls living with disabilities in the Anloga District of the Volta Region.
The engagement, held after Christmas at the Anloga District Assembly Hall, formed part of efforts to reach vulnerable adolescents who are often excluded from mainstream sexual and reproductive health education and interventions.
The programme featured a series of educational discussions and interactive sessions, during which health professionals and facilitators engaged participants on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual and reproductive rights, family planning methods, and strategies for preventing teenage pregnancy.
The initiative is part of a broader project jointly implemented by PPAG and UNFPA, which seeks to equip young and wise adolescent clubs and disability schools with practical knowledge to enable them to make informed life choices, safeguard their health, and contribute meaningfully to youth-led change within their communities.
According to the organisers, adolescents living with disabilities were frequently marginalised in sexual and reproductive health programming, despite being equally vulnerable to abuse, misinformation, and health risks.
The project was therefore carefully and deliberately designed to address this gap by ensuring inclusive access to accurate and age-appropriate SRH information.
Madam Gloria Agbofa, a Public Health Nurse at the Anloga District Health Directorate, while delivering the health education, advised participants to refrain from behaviours that could expose them to sexually transmitted infections. She further cautioned against unsafe and illegal abortion practices, explaining that such actions could lead to serious health complications and long-term consequences.
Madam Agbofa also educated participants on how to seek guidance from health professionals, properly access and use available family planning methods, and warned adolescent girls against the misuse of emergency contraceptive pills, stressing the importance of responsible and informed decision-making.
Mr. Christopher Makam, the Volta Regional Focal Person for the project, in explaining the rationale behind the choice of target group, told the Ghana News Agency that the initiative was intentionally structured to reach those most often overlooked.
“Most of the time, we engage adolescents in these educational activities but skip the most vulnerable. This project deliberately targets adolescents living with disabilities to equip them with information on sexual and reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, and related issues, so they can become agents of change and help mitigate the rising trends in these challenges,” Mr. Makam said.
The programme was attended by a cross-section of boys and girls aged between 12 and 19 years, living with various forms of disabilities. Participants expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing it as informative, empowering, and relevant to their personal development and well-being.
The organisers said they remain committed to inclusive health education, noting that leaving no adolescent behind remains central to achieving improved sexual and reproductive health outcomes at the community level. –GNA
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Traders have returned to the streets of Accra, occupying pavements and stretches of some roads after the last major decongestion exercise.
The exercise, which was aimed at restoring order in areas like Kingsway, CMB, Rawlings Park, Tudu etc, have now been defeated.
From Kingsway to Rawlings Park, traders display several wares including, footwear, herbal medicines, plastic products, fresh fish, second-hand clothing, and vegetables, among others.
Local Evangelists are also not left out as they scramble for spaces on the streets.
Pedestrians, therefore, find it difficult to move around when shopping, due to the human and vehicular congestion created by the traders.
In an interview with The Spectator, Auntie Abigail, a trader, said her return to the streets was to sell more, and she saw nothing wrong with it.
Hajia, who deals in wholesale items, indicated that they were unable to make sales as their colleagues move to the pavement and since customers don’t want to come inside, they prefer to buy from them.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has given traders a grace period to go back to their shops.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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The Keta Municipal Health Directorate in the Volta Region has reported a surge in mumps cases, sparking concerns among residents in the area.
The disease, caused by a viral infection, has spread rapidly in the Municipality, with about 50 persons reportedly affected in the Keta township.
Madam Tsoeke Dzorgbenyui Seanefu, a nurse at the Keta Municipal Health Directorate, disclosed that mumps is a highly contagious disease that affects the salivary glands and presents symptoms such as facial swelling, fever, and headache. She linked the outbreak to poor hygiene and overcrowding.
“The causes of mumps include the mumps virus, which spreads through respiratory droplets, contact with infected saliva, and contaminated surfaces,” she said.
She explained that symptoms include swelling of the parotid glands, fever, headache, muscle aches, and loss of appetite. In some cases, complications such as meningitis or orchitis may occur.
Madam Seanefu emphasised that mumps spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s saliva or respiratory droplets, sharing food, drinks, or utensils, and touching contaminated surfaces.
“Those at highest risk of contracting mumps include unvaccinated children and adults, people living in crowded areas, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The effects of mumps can be severe, including meningitis (inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord), orchitis (inflammation of the testicles), and oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries),” she added.
To prevent or curb mumps, she advised residents to visit hospitals or the nearest health centre for vaccination (MMR vaccine), practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly under running water, avoid sharing food, drinks, or utensils, and stay away from infected individuals.
She urged residents to prioritise hygiene and seek medical attention early if symptoms persist.
She noted that mumps cases are treatable with rest, hydration, and pain management, but medical attention is crucial to prevent complications.
The Keta Municipal Health Directorate is closely monitoring the situation and working to contain the outbreak through public education on mumps, its treatment, and vaccination services for affected individuals. – GNA
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