The Executive Director of Camfed Ghana, Fairuza Abdul Rashid Safian, has appealed to the government to give sexual reproductive health (SRH) the attention it deserves to combat social vices in the country.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ dissemination workshop in Accra, Safian emphasized that Ghana has excellent SRH policies, but lacks adequate resourcing to disseminate information and implement interventions.
“I urge the government and development partners to collaborate and prioritize SRH to address the social issues we’re facing,” she stated.
The workshop presented findings from an adolescent sexual and reproductive health scoping and needs assessment baseline study. Key issues highlighted included widespread misinformation, lack of awareness about Ghana’s SRH policies, and cultural practices that hinder discussions on SRH.
She noted that inaccurate information shared among peers and limited access to SRH information exacerbate the challenges. She stressed the need for comprehensive education and awareness programs to address these gaps.
Fairuza Abdul-Rashid Safian, expressed concern over the limited access to sexual reproductive health (SRH) information and support services for young people.
She emphasized that misinformation and misguidance are prevalent, leaving youth vulnerable to exploitation and harm. She stressed the importance of accurate information and support services to empower young people to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
“We are not promoting early sexual activity, but rather equipping children with knowledge to understand their development and access support services when needed,” Safian clarified.
Presenting the study findings, Mr. Archibald Adams, Trend Team Consultant, says the study was conducted across five regions, uncovered a shocking traditional practice where adolescents use a rope to tie their waist to prevent unwanted pregnancy or abortion.
According to Adams, a woman in the Northern region confessed to using this method as a form of traditional medicine. This alarming practice underscores the dire need for comprehensive reproductive health education and services in the region.
The study’s findings highlight the challenges faced by young people in accessing proper SRH information and services, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention.
Report by Bernard K Dadzie; Greater Accra Region
