An Obstetrician/Gynaecologist at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Emmanuel Ameh, says it is a misconception that family planning is harmful to the reproductive health of women.

According to him, family planning requires the use of modern methods of contraceptives which are safe and effective depending on the needs and health conditions of a person.

He stated that being on any of the family planning methods, such as injectables, implants, intrauterine device (IUD) and patches, do not in any way tamper with future pregnancy and does not also in any way affect an individual's sex life.

He said “family planning should not be seen as only a means to preventing pregnancy, but also a convenient and safer way to help women plan to get pregnant when they want to”.

He advised those who are on emergency contraceptive pills to use it only during emergencies and not to use on daily basis.

Dr. Emmanuel Ameh who is also a Reproductive Health and Family Planning Specialist, made these known when he addressed a group of female students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) during the third edition of the Secure Girls Talk, a flagship programme of the Population Services International Ghana (PSI Ghana), the brand owners of Secure Oral Contraceptive and Protector Condoms.

Dr. Emmanuel Ameh reiterated the need to scale up education programmes in universities and communities to help dispel common myth and misconceptions about modern family planning methods. He lauded PSI Ghana for the initiative, stating that “the Secure Girls Talk series is an important platform to give young women the opportunity to their sexuality. The more we discuss sexuality, the more people are prepared to plan their relationships, marriages or pregnancies and the more they can take wise decisions. It’s my firm belief that going forward with these series, we can reorient young women to become responsible both now and in their adult life,” he added.

Educating the students on how to successfully live within amiable and love relationships, Madam Maura Ntow, a Clinical Psychologist at the Ridge Hospital in Accra, indicated that many relational challenges stemmed from the inability and unwillingness to discuss sexual matters. She entreated young women to talk and confide in their parents as well as professional counselors, since they were willing listeners who will guide them to make the right choices in life.

Madam Ntow also commended PSI Ghana for organizing the series, saying that it served as an essential platform to sensitize young women and empower them on best ways to start out life.

The Secure Girls Talk brings together female students in various tertiary institutions for an evening of learning, thought sharing and networking. The KNUST Secure Girls Talk engaged participants in an educative and insightful discussion on reproductive health issues focusing on: achieving personal goals without unplanned pregnancies becoming a barrier, the misconceptions of using contraceptives, the importance of family planning, and the secrets to successful long-term love relationships.

More than hundred students attended the Secure Girls Talk programme. The event was moderated by Abena Nyamekye Owusu, a Broadcast journalist and TV anchor at GHOne TV and Starr FM. Earlier editions of the programme were held at the University of Ghana and the Koforidua Technical University campuses.

PSI Ghana is a social marketing organisation, dedicated to improving the health of people by focusing on serious challenges like a lack of family planning, HIV and AIDS, barriers to maternal health, and the greatest threats to children under five, including malaria, diarrhoea, pneumonia and malnutrition.