Bongo: The Forum for African Women Educationalists-Africa (FAWE-Africa), an international non-governmental organisation, has called on stakeholders to increase efforts to address the many challenges confronting adolescents. Speaking during a monitoring visit to beneficiaries of the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project in Bongo, Mr Martin Okhako, Project Officer at FAWE-Africa, observed that despite the gains made over the years, more needed to be done.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Okhako stressed the need for proper enforcement of legislation and intensified education for collective efforts and increased dialogue to sustainably tackle the menace. He highlighted that teenage pregnancy and child marriage remain significant issues, with known community consequences. Okhako pointed out that these challenges have persisted across African countries due to the large youth population, upon whom future development relies. Data indicates that many teenage pregnancies lead to school dropouts, diminishing their potential as future leaders.
The SHARE project, a five-year initiative implemented in Ghana by a consortium led by Right To Play and supported by WaterAid Ghana, FAWE-Ghana, and FHI360, with funding from Global Affairs Canada, aims to advance gender equality by providing access to age-appropriate sexual and reproductive education and gender-responsive care for young people, especially young women and girls. The project is being rolled out in the Kassena-Nankana and Builsa Municipalities, as well as the Kassena-Nankana West and Bongo Districts.
The monitoring visit was part of efforts to assess the implementation of the project and its impact on the beneficiary communities, with the goal of learning and replicating lessons in other areas. Mr Okhako explained that although Ghana, like many other African countries, had outlawed practices such as child marriage, the implementation of these laws remained problematic. He called for stronger enforcement of laws protecting adolescents and young people.
Mr Okhako mentioned that in countries like Kenya, sensitisation and stakeholder involvement have led to positive changes, with adolescents becoming more resilient. He urged the government to incorporate sexual and reproductive health education into basic school curricula to address adolescent challenges from the root. This education would inform young people about critical issues such as menstruation and pregnancy prevention.
Mr Eli Katsakpor, Programmes Officer at FAWE-Ghana, emphasized the need for increased education on contraceptive use, particularly condoms, to prevent teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Madam Celestina Awuni, a Public Health Nurse with the Ghana Health Service in Bongo, noted that teenage pregnancy statistics in the district remain concerning, despite recent reductions. She urged parents to be more responsible in curbing indiscipline and risky behaviors among adolescents.
Mr Philimon Ataba, Assemblyman for the Bongo-Soe-Tamolga Electoral Area, acknowledged that the SHARE project had contributed to increased knowledge of sexual and reproductive health issues. He expressed hope that this would bolster efforts to tackle teenage pregnancy and child marriage in the area.
