As part of in-school activities under the Youth for Health (Y4H) project co-funded by the European Union, Youth Advocates Ghana (YAG) together MSI Reproductive Choices Ghana and Ghana Education Service, oriented and strengthened the capacity of head teachers and school-based school health education program (SHEP) coordinators in selected districts in the Northern Region of Ghana integrate RHE in schools.

The 2-day capacity strengthening workshop brought head teachers and SHEP coordinators from Bimbilla, Makayili, Bincheritanga and Lepusi in Nanumba North district; Kuwani, NNalog, Kpalba and Natagu in the Saboba district; and Zieng, Dingoni, Zoggu and Tampion in the Nanton District.

The workshop oriented and capacitated participants in the areas of value clarification and attitudinal transformation (VCAT), adolescent reproductive health and development, strategies for social and behavioural change communication, personal hygiene, just to list a few. 

The participants were also taken through the project to give them a better understanding of how to implement activities in school and revitalize the school health clubs.

The in-school activities are crucial as most parents do not educate their wards on their reproductive health, hence they depend on the education given in school to enable them make informed choices. Participants were excited to go back and begin implementation in their various schools.

“With this enhanced knowledge,we are a step  closer to achieving ithe goal of expanding access to many adolescents to sexual & reproductive health care & services” said Sulemana Mahamoud, headmaster, Bimbilla, at the capacity strengthening teacher’s workshop in Northern Region.

“Teenage pregnancy has negatively impacted the lives of many young girls, hence this training will help us educate them on their reproductive health life to enable them make informed choices.” Noted Mr. Nelson Yaro, Savulugu school for the deaf.

The Youth for Health (Y4H) project aims to increase demand for, and access to, high-quality, discrimination-free ASRHR information and services; increase public sector willingness and capacity to deliver and sustain high-quality ASRHR information and services, and improve enabling policy and funding environment at regional, national, and sub-national level of the project.

The project builds on MSI and partners’ experience in supporting the delivery of adolescent-friendly healthcare, advocating for increased domestic funding for adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR), and strengthening the capacity of adolescents, youth and community structures.

The Y4H project is being implemented in six countries in Africa from 2022-2025. In Ghana, the project is implemented by Marie Stopes Ghana (MSG) and Youth Advocates Ghana (YAG) in the Northern and Upper East regions. 

YAG leads on the implementation of the reproductive health education (RHE) for in-and-out of school adolescents in Ghana and contribute to awareness raising and policy dialogue on SRHR of vulnerable adolescents.