ADOLESCENT WORKSHOP IN KUMASI

A four-day workshop on adolescent reproductive health has opened in Kumasi. It is being organised by the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), in collaboration with the Centre for Development and Population Activities, a non-governmental Agency based in the United States. The workshop has the theme: " Promoting Adolescent Reproductive Health by the year 2000. The youth, take action to make a difference". It is being attended by 40 pupils selected from some first cycle schools in the Metropolis. Addressing the participants, the Ashanti Regional Youth co-ordinator, Mr.. Archibald Donkor, said in seeking to promote the health of adolescents, health workers must be mindful of some of the hindrances to adolescent health. These include poverty, non-availability of health facilities in the rural areas and ignorance. Mr..Donkor called for a collective effort among religious bodies, policy makers, traditional rulers and health facilitators to ensure good health for adolescents. He advised the youth to be more receptive to adolescent-related issues, to make them well informed on health issues. The Assistant Ashanti Regional Population Officer, Mr.. Kwadzo Boakye Yiadom said, in 1993 a demographic health survey conducted in the country revealed that 73 percent of the youth aged between 10 and 24 practised unsafe sex. He said since the youth are more susceptible to diseases, there is the need to intensify sex education, so as to prepare them for the future. The National Co-ordinator of the YWCA, Mrs.. Josephine Essah said the goal of the workshop is to help adolescents develop skills to build a better future for themselves. She called on Parents to encourage the youth to stay in school long enough to acquire employable skills. End