PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES (P.W.D’s) EDUCATED ON ADOLESCENT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

As part of the Tano South District Directorate of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Developments agenda to educate the masses on the Adolescent Reproductive Health, a one day workshop has been organized for people living with Disabilities in the Tano South District of the Brong Ahafo Region.

A group picture of participants and resource persons at the workshop

Mr. Samuel Kyeremeh, the Tano South District Director of the Department in his opening remarks said, the government of Ghana in collaboration with a non-governmental organization Paradium based in the United Kingdom has introduced the Adolescent Reproductive Health Programme in the Brong Ahafo to create awareness of the basic necessities of Family Planning and Adolescent Reproductive Health and urged people to give the maximum respect for those living with Disabilities to enable them feel that they form part

of the decision making process.

                               

Mr. Samuel Kyeremeh, the Tano South District Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Developments in his speech at the workshop

Touching on abortion and female genital mutilation, Miss Bevelyn Blankson, a Community Health Nurse of the District Health Directorate defined abortion as the systematic procedure to end a pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the mothers’ womb.

On effects of abortion, Miss Bevelyn Blankson said, it makes women acquire breast cancer, give premature birth and increases substance abuse and urged the women to put an end to the practice.

                                

Miss Bevelyn Blankson in an address

On female genital mutilation, Miss Bevelyn Blankson said it also has physical, sexual and psychological effects on the health of women and said the practice could also let women risk their life and urged them to refrain from such practices.

For the Adolescent girls, Miss Eirene Obeng-Asare said, during their adolescent period they develop pubic hairs in their various parts of the body, develop macho voice and observe menstruation.

                                  

Miss Eirene Obeng-Asare addressing the participants

She said a number of factors including migration, child labour and divorce are the causes of teenage pregnancy and said girls travel to urban centres in search of jobs which are non- existing and are left on their own to fend for themselves which when in times of difficulties lead them into sexual life due to their inability to get money to look after themselves.