Youth Leaders urged to support adolescent sexual reproductive health

The National Youth Authority (NYA) has appealed to youth leaders in the country to take active part and support efforts aimed at promoting Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH).

Their involvement, the NYA believed would go a long way to contribute positively to addressing the ASRH challenges and by far reduce teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases in the country.

Mr. Emmanuel Martey, Central Regional Director of the NYA who made the appeal said the youth must take keen interest in issues that affected them to justify that they deserved rightful inclusion in national development and for full empowerment.

Mr. Martey was speaking at a day's dialogue with Youth leaders and Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies' policy makers on the need for the youth to participate in the Assembly's town hall meetings at Ekumfi Essakyir.

It was facilitated by NYA with support from the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The dialogue among others was aimed at creating a healthy environment for the youth to discuss issues with the MMDAs to enhance the implementation of friendly programmes.

Mr Martey underscored the need for an increased community awareness creation on ASRH for better understanding of the issues.

He said concerted efforts must be made to break the barriers of ASRH promotion to encourage the youth to grab opportunities available for personal development; socially economically and politically.

Mr Emmanuel Blankson, Ekumfi District Budget Officer enumerated the crucial role the youth played in the socio economic development of the country and said they must be included in the decision making process.

"Apart from they being the future leaders, the youth also play very important roles and they must therefore be taken seriously in discussing issues relating to national development", he said.

He stated that there should be a general framework for government to connect with stakeholders in a significantly meaningful manner to develop proper intervention and services for youth empowerment and development.

Madam Mariatu Seidu, the Ekumfi District Director of Public Health appealed to queen mothers to support the "Time with Grandma" programme designed by the Ghana Health Service to educate the youth in their communities.

She encouraged families to also accept family planning methods to prevent unwanted pregnancies.