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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THE 2026 Akwambo Festival at Gomoa Amoanda in the Ga East District has been held with a call for unity, peace, and collective action towards local development.
The festival, celebrated under the theme: ‘Unity, Peace and Development,’ provided a platform for community leaders and residents to highlight critical challenges affecting health, education, water, and sanitation in the area.
The durbar took place on Saturday at the Town Square of Gomoa Amoanda, attracting chiefs, elders, and residents from across the district.
Addressing the gathering, the Odikro of Gomoa Amoanda, Nana Kofi Budu Sersah IV, appealed for urgent government and stakeholder support to address the lack of a CHPS compound, reliable drinking water, proper school infrastructure, and additional teachers.
He disclosed that land had been allocated for the construction of a CHPS compound and called for support from the government, corporate bodies, and benevolent individuals.
Touching on sanitation, Nana Budu Sersah IV noted that the construction of a public toilet had stalled due to financial constraints and appealed for assistance to complete the project.
Representing the Central Regional Minister, Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, the District Chief Executive for Gomoa East, Margaret Naana Ackom, pledged government support for key development initiatives.
She announced a donation of 20 bags of cement for the public toilet and assured further assistance for other projects once land was made available.
The Prampimhene of the Awutu Traditional Area in the Central Region, Nana Okromansah Klordey I, who also serves as the Mankrado of Pakro Akuapim in the Eastern Region under the stool name of Nana Ntow Amoah II, expressed concern over rising drug abuse among youth.
By Stephanie Birikorang
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THE Ofankor–Nsawam road commuters appear to have breathe a sigh of relief over the progress of work on the road project which has reached 81 per cent completion.
A visit by The Spectator to the project site revealed that a significant portion of the road had already been asphalted, while most of the storm drains and culverts had been completed.
In addition, the various flyovers and pedestrian footbridges were at different stages of completion.
This appears to be the best news for commuters that ply the road daily as information indicated that the project would be completed on schedule.
According to the Chief Resident Engineer, Kwabena Bempong, steady progress had been made across the 33.4-kilometre stretch.
He expressed the hope that the remaining works would be delivered within the revised timeline, subject to the resolution of outstanding land issues at Nsawam Junction.
The Ofankor–Nsawam road forms part of National Route Six (N6), a major arterial highway linking Accra to the northern parts of the country and extending further to the Sahelian regions of West Africa.
The project scope includes the construction of four major interchanges at Amasaman, Pobiman, Medie and Nsawam Junction, alongside service roads and other ancillary facilities and is valued at $346.5 million.
By Kingsley Asare
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