Taviefe SHS students educated on mental, sexual health rights

Around 100 students from Taviefe Senior High School in the Volta Region received education on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Mental Health during a two-day event held on August 24th and 25th, 2024.

The event aimed to provide young people with better access to information on sexual and mental health, enabling them to make informed decisions and lead safe and healthy lives.

The initiative also sought to address rising concerns in the region, such as teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and HIV infections.

According to the Volta Regional Department of Gender, one in every four girls under 18 in the region is either married or cohabiting with a partner. Additionally, teenage pregnancy and HIV infections have been on the rise. In 2020, 6,144 cases of teenage pregnancy were reported in the region, and the number increased to 6,294 by September 2021, with 0.56% of cases involving girls under 14 years old. Furthermore, the Ghana Aids Commission’s 2020 report revealed that 83% of new HIV infections among the 15-24 age group in the municipality were females.

Mr. Joseph Gyedu, a Mental Health Professional who led the mental health session at the boot camp, highlighted that substance abuse, alcohol use, relationship issues, and depression are prevalent among the youth in Ho. He encouraged students facing mental health challenges to seek help from their teachers, school counselors, or local health facilities. He emphasized that "it is okay to ask for help because mental illness is just like any other illness that can affect any part of the human body."

Mr. Courage Komla Asaase, the Project Manager for the Young and Safe Project, explained that the primary focus of the boot camps was to educate and intervene on these critical topics, with the goal of empowering 1,800 individuals in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights. The intervention includes the establishment of "Youth Champions," where selected students act as anchors on campus, helping to monitor growth and emerging issues. This enables experts to provide timely interventions.

One participant, Peace Tetteh Ahinakwa, a first-year student at Taviefe Senior High School, shared her thoughts on the importance of the knowledge gained. She noted that many people lack information and often criticize others without understanding. She expressed her hope that by sharing what she has learned, she can help others understand and support one another more effectively.