Education Ministry, UNFPA unite to address challenges facing adolescents

The Ministry of Education and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have launched the Healthy, Educated and Responsible Adolescents Living and Development Initiative (HERALD) Steering Group to strengthen support for adolescents by improving coordination among education, health and civic responsibility programmes.

The Steering Group is expected to bring key stakeholders together to address challenges affecting young people and ensure that adolescents, both in and out of school, have access to essential information, life skills, services and support.

Speaking at the launch, Isaac Attach Baah, Principal Programme Officer for Early Childhood Education, stressed the importance of coordinated interventions to help adolescents navigate the critical stage of development and prepare for responsible adulthood.

The UNFPA Country Representative, Dr Wilfred Ochan, called for a unified approach to tackling issues such as teenage pregnancy, sexual exploitation and abuse, mental health challenges, HIV/AIDS and child labour. He also highlighted the need to promote digital safety and responsible citizenship among young people.

Stakeholders at the launch called for greater parental involvement, safer school environments, sustainable funding and meaningful youth participation in programmes designed to improve adolescent well-being.

The HERALD Steering Group will bring together government agencies, development partners and civil society organisations to build on existing policies and programmes. It will also support the development of coordinated implementation strategies, action plans and monitoring frameworks to improve the delivery of interventions for adolescents.

Through the initiative, the Ministry of Education and its partners aim to empower young people to make informed decisions, acquire essential life skills and contribute meaningfully to Ghana's sustainable development.