CNC uses drama to educate communities on health, education and cleaner communities

The Western Regional office of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) has undertaken Social Behavioural Change Drama Campaign in eight communities within the Western Region.From the Shama District, Dwomo, Shama, Abuesi and Aboadi were selected while, Prestea-Huni Valley District saw Bogoso Kookooase, Kumsonu,Koduakrom and Aboso Nsuaem participating.Apostle Dr. Ebo Kessie, the project lead, told the GNA that the design was an outcome of a recently held Social Behavioural Change (SBC) Co-creation Workshop held in Cape Coast where stakeholders strongly suggested a revisit to the 'Edutainment Approach' (via the use of Drama) to achieve results in behavioural change.'This was based on the prototype intervention developed by the Queen Mothers Group where stakeholders agreed to adopt key lessons learnt from the Human Centred Approach which involved active consultation and participation of beneficiaries communities at various stages of the campaign process', he added. Dr Kessie said, live community drama became the chosen tool to upshot Social and Behavioural Change to ultimately end Early Child Marriage, Teenage Pregnancy and other forms of Child Abuse.The drama technique employed in educating the target population on the theme of the campaign: 'End Child Marriage' was done in dialects of the target populations in the selected communities.According to him, social issues such as child abuse, sexual abuse, child marriage, neglect, labour, HIV education, child Rights, hand washing and personal Hygiene, and inclusive Education for all Children were also highlighted.Dr. Kessie also said the drama sought to educate parents on the acquisition of birth certificate for Kids at birth.The project sponsored by UNICEF saw a 40 minute live dramatic presentation in all the Communities.Other collaborators include: The Department of Community Development, Social Welfare, Department of Children, Ghana Education Service, Ghana Health Service, Department of Birth and Death, Information Service Department and DOVVSU.Source : Ghana News Agency