The National Youth Authority (NYA) in partnership with Plan International Ghana under the Youth Participate and Lead project, has engaged young people in Wa on Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) and child marriage.

The sensitization aimed at raising public awareness on the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, gender-based violent and teenage pregnancy as well as child marriage.

Improving reproductive and sexual health is crucial to eliminating health disparities, reducing rates of infectious diseases and infertility.

It also helps in finding ways of increasing educational attainment, career opportunities, and financial stability among the youth.

The Acting Upper West Regional Director of NYA, Mr Archibald Donkoh, addressing the youth an advocacy meeting said there was the need to consciously involve the youth in identifying their reproductive and health needs.

He said the NYA would continue to help the youth to improve their knowledge on ASRH and engage them in activities that would prevent them from engaging in early and irresponsible sexual activities likely to expose them to Sexually Transmitted Infections and unwanted pregnancies.

“You should know that whatever reproductive and sexual decisions you make today, you are going to experience the positive or negative effects years to come and this will have rippling effects on your communities and Ghana as a whole,” he said.

Mr Kamaldeen Iddrisu, the Wa Municipal Development Coordinator for Plan International Ghana, said most youth, especially girls, did not have adequate knowledge on reproductive health which calls for serious attention.

He said Plan International was much focused to equip young people particularly girls with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to champion the course.

Madam Mary Agyare, Public Health Nurse, added that it was crucial for young people to understand their reproductive health and rights, and increase demand for contraceptives and other sexual and reproductive health.

The adolescents were asked to carry out public education on the dangers of early sex and child marriage.