Health professionals and educators trained to improve SRHR services, tackle SGBV, and integrate mental health support

A three-day training workshop for health service delivery professionals and educators has ended in Koforidua, with a focus on gender-responsive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) service delivery, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS).

Themed "Understanding Gender and Adolescent Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights," the workshop was organised under the UNFPA/Ghana Government 8th Country Programme, which runs from 2023 to 2027.

Building Capacity for Better Adolescent Care

Participants included Public Health Nurses, Health Promotion Officers, Mental Health Nurses, facility staff, and educators. The training aimed to:

• Improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health services
• Strengthen responses to sexual and gender-based violence
• Integrate mental health and psychosocial support into care delivery

The broader programme seeks to contribute to UNFPA's transformational goals of reducing preventable maternal deaths, addressing unmet family planning needs, and eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Key implementing agencies include the Ghana Health Service, National Youth Authority, Department of Gender, and DOVVSU.

11 Districts Selected for Implementation

Presenting an overview of the programme, Regional Programme Focal Person Michael Agyemang disclosed that 11 municipalities and districts have been selected based on indicators such as teenage pregnancy, maternal mortality, family planning uptake, and child marriage.

Selected districts:

• Akwapim South
• New Juaben North
• Birim North
• Atiwa West
• Ayensuano
• Yilo Krobo
• Akyemansa
• Fanteakwa North
• Upper Manya Krobo
• Okere
• Asuogyaman

According to Mr Agyemang, baseline data for the region showed:

• Maternal mortality ratio: 120 per 100,000 live births
• Family planning uptake: 29%
• Stillbirth rate: 1.1%

• 2026 Activities and Call to Action
• Planned activities for 2026 include:
• Gender-transformative dialogues for adolescents and men
• Training for parents, health professionals, and educators
• Information sessions on menstrual health management, SRHR, and GBV
• Training for midwives and duty bearers involved in SGBV prevention and response

Mr Agyemang urged stakeholders to demonstrate strong commitment to ensure successful programme implementation and achievement of its objectives.

Regional Minister: Mental Health Support "Not Optional"

Addressing participants, Regional Minister Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey described adolescents as "energy, talent and the future of the Region," but noted that many still face teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, harmful gender norms, and various forms of SGBV.

She emphasised that beyond physical effects, many young people and survivors carry trauma, anxiety, depression, and stigma—making the integration of mental health and psychosocial support into service delivery "not optional but necessary."

The Minister assured the public that government will continue to invest in infrastructure, commodities, and human resources, and expressed hope for improved data, stronger referral pathways, and measurable impact across districts.