Accra: Parents have been advised to take keen interest in the Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) of their children, particularly focusing on girls. This initiative aims to prevent young individuals from seeking reproductive health solutions from peers and other unqualified sources.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Rachel Adzogble Amefordzi, Midwife in charge of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) Clinic, gave this advice during a Mobile Outreach Programme. The event was organized jointly by PPAG and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) at Adaklu Kpodzi in the Adaklu district. The Programme's goal was to provide SRH, contraceptives, HIV/STI, and counseling services directly to young people in underserved communities.
Mrs. Amefordzi also emphasized the importance of open discussions about SRH issues between parents and children, encouraging parents to build confidence in their children so they can comfortably share their SRH concerns. She highlighted that the future aspirations of girls relied significantly on maintaining a healthy reproductive system and recommended seeking periodic expert advice from trained health personnel.
The Midwife further advised parents to support their teenage girls in maintaining good personal hygiene, particularly during menstruation. She reassured the girls that menstruation is a natural cleansing process for the reproductive system and advised against inserting foreign materials for cleansing purposes.
Mr. Christopher Makam, the Volta Regional Focal Person of the UNFPA Adolescent Girl Empowerment Project Services, pointed out that cultural and religious practices often deter adolescents from seeking professional reproductive health services. To counter this, PPAG and UNFPA are collaborating to create a safe environment for young people to access youth-friendly SRH services.
Mr. Makam noted that the Programme also aims to address teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, drug abuse, and other social issues among adolescents. It is being implemented across several districts in the Volta region, including Adaklu, Central Tongu, Anloga, Keta, and Akatsi North. He called on traditional authorities to enact bylaws to prevent teenagers from loitering at night in their communities.
During the Programme, adolescents were tested for HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, and other diseases, and were provided with free medications.