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Stakeholders at a day’s consultation workshop on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Policy Influence Dialogue have advocated one percent of the District Assembly’s Common Fund be dedicated to supporting child rights empowerment.
That will ensure sustainable financing for programmes that protect and promote sexual and reproductive health and rights of children and adolescents across the country. It will expand access to vital education and services, reduce early pregnancies and gender-based violence and empower both girls and boys through inclusive programmes.
Additionally, it will ensure sustainable local support by aligning with district plans, improve overall health outcomes for mothers and children and promote inclusive policies that address the needs of marginalised groups, including children with disabilities.
The forum was held in Cape Coast on the theme: “Empowering champions for reproductive health policy influencing through education and supportive environment.” It fostered dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders with support from Marie Stopes International (MSI) Reproductive Choices ECHOES Project which seeks to drive sustainable progress in SRHR.
It aims at empowering champions who could shape, protect and sustain inclusive policies and laws that ensure access to comprehensive reproductive health services grounded in evidence, equity and human rights. Addressing the forum on behalf of Civil Society, Mr Michael Tagoe of the Planned Parenthood Association emphasised the urgent need to build and adequately resource Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds.
He indicated that strengthening CHPS facilities was crucial to improving access to healthcare at the community level, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This approach, he said, would not only bring essential health services closer to the people, but also enhanced the delivery of SRHR services, including family planning, maternal health and prevention of reproductive tract infections.
Mr Tagoe also advocated for empowerment programmes through skills’ acquisition, which could enable individuals, particularly women and the youth to gain economic independence, and make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
Empowerment through skills’ development, he said complemented healthcare access by addressing socio-economic barriers that often limited utilisation of SRHR services. Nana Amba Eyiaba, the Paramount Queenmother of Efutu, and Krontihemaa of Oguaa Traditional Area, alongside traditional authorities, advocated the modernisation of cultural practices.
The reforms must ensure the preservation of cultural rites and traditions that teach responsibilities such as “Dipo” and “Bragoro”, integrating modern education and reproductive health and gender equality, while eliminating harmful practices such as stigmatising non-virgins. There is the need to align these rites with contemporary societal values while preserving their core educational purpose.
Nana Eyiaba also called for inter-agency collaboration, highlighting its potential to foster cohesive strategies and amplify impact. They pledged to spearhead community awareness initiatives focused on adolescent reproductive rights and underscored the long-term benefits of informed decision-making and health equity.
State institutions, departments and agencies, also called for mainstreaming gender into all government programmes and policies. They highlighted the significance of gender mainstreaming as a strategy for integrating gender perspectives at every stage of policy and programme development to promote equality and social change.
They called for continuous gender and sexual rights education in basic schools, alignment of international rights protocols with local assemblies vision, empowerment of traditional and religious authorities and strict enforcement of relevant laws. They explained that these measures were essential to effectively address gender inequalities and uphold human rights.
In her remarks at the opening of the forum, Madam Clara Nyarkoah Anim, the Director of Programmes and Operations at MSI Reproductive Choices, reiterated commitment to working hand in hand with stakeholders to advance long-term solutions through shared action and measurable impact.
“We must recognise that reproductive health is not a standalone issue. It intersects with education, economic empowerment, gender equality, and social protection.
“When girls remain in school, when women have access to family planning, and when young people are equipped with comprehensive sexuality education, the benefits ripple outwards, transforming lives, families, communities, and ultimately, our nation,” she explained.
Dr Godfred Bonnah Nkansah, Population policy Analyst and political Demographer, gave an overview of Ghana’s population and the Implications of high fertility and population growth rates. He cited poverty, teenage pregnancies and child marriage as key drivers to the country’s high fertility rate.
Source: GNA
