Kumasi: Proactif Global, a civil society organisation committed to youth empowerment and reproductive health education, is equipping young people in the Kumasi Metropolis with practical skills that are transforming lives and reshaping futures. The goal is to reduce the vulnerability of young people, especially girls, to HIV/AIDS and other sexual and reproductive health risks.
According to Ghana News Agency, through its flagship initiative, the Skills Acquisition Programme (SAP), Proactif Global has trained hundreds of young people in a range of vocations, including the production of local drinks, pastries, and batik tie and dye. Upon completion, beneficiaries are supported to start their own small-scale businesses, an intervention aimed at fostering economic independence and reducing the reliance on transactional sex as a means of survival.
More than just vocational training, SAP embeds vital lessons in business development, customer service, and demand creation. These modules empower participants, the majority of whom are economically disadvantaged young women, to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence and resilience.
Mr. Nathaniel Oduro, Executive Director of Proactif Global, explained that the programme was borne out of direct engagement with young girls who confessed to engaging in multiple sexual relationships due to financial hardship. 'Many of them told us that without any means of income, they felt compelled to depend on men for basic needs. We realised that to effectively tackle HIV transmission and other sexual health risks, we needed to address the root cause which is poverty and economic dependency,' he recounted.
The SAP thus, goes beyond skill acquisition as it creates a safe and engaging space to hold critical conversations around sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS awareness, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). These discussions, integrated into the training, equip participants with knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their health and relationships.
The impact of the initiative is already visible, with several young women not only running thriving small businesses but also serving as peer educators and role models within their communities. However, the work of Proactif Global cannot thrive in isolation. There is an urgent need for concerted efforts from government agencies, development partners, and private sector actors to support such grassroots interventions.
Global Proactif is implementing this life-changing programme from its own resources free of charge to beneficiaries and requires support from corporate bodies and individuals committed to youth empowerment. Investing in young girls, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds, is a direct investment in public health, national development, and the fight against gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS.
Stakeholders must prioritise funding, mentorship, and policy support for youth-led and community-based organisations like Proactif Global, which are working tirelessly to create sustainable change from the ground up. As the world continues to seek effective strategies in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the empowerment of young women through education and economic independence must remain at the forefront. Proactif Global's model offers a blueprint worth scaling, not only in Ghana but across other countries facing similar challenges.
