ActionAid Ghana and Norsaac Launch "The ABCs of Reproductive Health: Random Questions High Schoolers Ask." Booklet for Adolescent Girls

The 2024 World Population Report by the UNFPA discloses that Thousands of women and girls continue to die from sexual and reproductive diseases in Ghana, despite the country's notable advances in these areas over the past three decades, according to data from the UN Population Fund. This underserving persists because of socioeconomic status, gender inequality, and ethnicity.

ActionAid Ghana and Norsaac, in a bid to reduce the vulnerability of female adolescents to sexual and reproductive disease in Ghana, have launched the book “The ABCs of Reproductive Health: Random Questions High Schoolers Ask." This educational piece forms part of ActionAid Ghana’s focus on promoting women and children's rights and access to sexual and reproductive health.

The 54-page book is specially designed to address the knowledge gap in RHE by responding to the most frequently asked questions on RHE by adolescents, particularly Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in 24 senior high schools across the Northern and North East regions of Ghana.

Launched on June 4, the comprehensive and engaging book highlighted the reproductive health needs and concerns of adolescents in the country and beyond, with reader-friendly, accurate, and age-appropriate information and content on reproductive health. The book also tackles topics such as puberty, consent, sexuality, menstrual health, and mental health.

Blessilla Na-afoe Kandoh, Health Interest Lead at Norsaac, reiterates that the book is designed to address the knowledge gap in reproductive health education by responding to the most frequent questions of adolescent girls, interested persons, and young women in senior high schools.

Madam Esther Boateng, AAG Regional Programmes Manager, expressed excitement about the launch of "The ABCs of RHE," a book addressing reproductive health education challenges for young people and promoting sexual and reproductive health rights for women and girls. She added that issues of menstrual hygiene management and adolescence are topics that ought to be intentionally taught and discussed among young people, hence the urgency of the booklet for the 24 schools in Ghana and beyond. She stressed that the book is in fulfilment of ActionAid's mandate of ensuring a safer learning environment for children, especially girls. 

Delivering a speech on behalf of the regional minister, Madam Sherifatu Gyimah, Deputy Director, Northern Regional Coordinating Council, commended partners for their tremendous efforts in transforming the narrative of the future of young girls.

He said reproductive health education would not only improve the physical well-being of girls but also reduce teenage pregnancies, maternal mortality, and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.

Some participants at the launch also expressed their gratitude for this laudable initiative, describing it as a timely intervention for adolescent girls. Miss Margaret Dourtey Awusi, a student at Tamale Girls Senior High School, said the book cleared misconceptions among students on many issues, including menstrual hygiene.

The launch was attended by representatives from the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, Representatives of the Northern Regional Minister (RCC), Department of Gender, Department of Children, revered chiefs, religious leaders, Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly, Headmasters of selected senior high schools across the Northern and North East regions, YFP girls, mentors, development partners, NGOs, Persons with Disabilities (PWD), youth networks, teachers, health care professionals, education officials, international NGOs, persons living with disabilities, faith-based organisations, the media, and traditional leaders.