Accra: To enhance knowledge and service provision for adolescents, CAMFED Ghana has urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to introduce comprehensive and 'age-appropriate' Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) education into the national curriculum. It also called on the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to establish youth-friendly, confidential, and non-judgmental health services at the community level for the same purpose.
According to Ghana News Agency, these recommendations follow a CAMFED study, which analysed SRH services in five regions with high rates of child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, or HIV/AIDS among adolescents. The regions studied were Tatale Sangule District (Northern Region), Bole District (Savannah Region), Amansie Central (Ashanti Region), Pru West (Bono East Region), and Assin South (Central Region).
The study identified existing gaps on topics such as sexual rights, gender-based violence (GBV), adolescent reproductive health, and abortion. It revealed that 80 percent of 495 households supported the introduction of SRH education in schools and at home for young people aged 10 to 15.
Health centres, community health workers, schools, religious gatherings, and broadcast media were key sources of SRH information. However, digital platforms were underutilised due to limited internet access and digital literacy. CAMFED Ghana and partners noted that adolescent girls in school showed higher awareness of SRH topics than boys, who often relied on informal sources such as peers. Despite this, myths and misconceptions, particularly about contraceptive side effects, remained widespread.
The study also highlighted traditional and cultural beliefs as barriers to SRH education at the household level, as some parents lacked formal training on SRH topics. Approximately 74.3% of households reported using SRH services, with public health facilities being the primary service provider. However, many rural communities lacked public health facilities, leading to significant variations in service usage by district.
Maternal health services and family planning were the most frequently accessed services, while legal aid and security services for SRH-related issues were rarely used. CAMFED expressed concern over some adolescent girls engaging in unsafe abortion practices due to lack of access to proper services.
The organisation cited insufficient budget allocation for SRH programmes, absence of health centres in some rural communities, and inadequate 'disability-friendly SRH services' as challenges in sexual and reproductive health education and service provision. It urged the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to enforce laws protecting adolescents from GBV and early marriage.
Local governments were encouraged to allocate sufficient budgetary resources to SRH programmes and improve infrastructure for SRH service delivery. The GHS was advised to integrate SRH services into community health clinics and establish referral pathways for adolescents in need of specialised care.
The study emphasised digital innovations and Public-Private Partnerships to expand SRH services and ensure sustainability. CAMFED called for the inclusion of local and traditional leaders in community-based SRH education programmes to address cultural barriers and create a supportive environment for adolescents to access SRH information.
Targeted SRH programmes should be developed for adolescents with disabilities, incorporating accessibility features. Awareness campaigns should be implemented to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities' access to SRH services. Training programmes for healthcare workers should be expanded to improve youth-friendly service provision. More mobile health units should be deployed to improve SRH access and information provision in remote areas.
Ms. Fairuza Abdul-Rashid Safian, the Executive Director of CAMFED Ghana, highlighted the progress made over the years and called for a multi-sectoral approach to improving SRH access, empowering young girls, and promoting gender equality.
