Prof. Fred Sai Honoured By PPAG, IPPF

The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) and the International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPF) has jointly honoured Professor Fred Sai, a renowned Ghanaian Physician with a plaque for his contributions in health care delivery.

Prof Sai championed the course of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of women and issues pertaining to promotion of child health.

As part of his contribution in the health sector, the 'Fred Sai Institute,' was re-launched in Accra to periodically give out research grants to post graduate students to conduct research in the field of SRHR and contribute to the works of Prof Sai.

The research findings are used to influence policy, undertake advocacy and improve the SRHR sector in Africa and beyond.

Prof Rita Dickson, the President of PPAG, said the Fred Sai Institute was launched in Nairobi Kenya in 2004 and thought it prudent to be re-launched in his own country.

She said the institute would empower young Africa postgraduate students to conduct research in the area of sexual and reproductive health, population and related fields, the sectors that needed the utmost support.

Prof Dickson said the institute would engage with universities and their public health schools and determine the research questions to be undertaken, initiate a competitive selection process of students and award students a stipend for the research.

She said Prof Sai was celebrated because of his dedication, commitment and selfless service to institutionalize the right to reproductive health services and information including family planning in the world.

"PPAG will continue to provide leadership in advocacy and research and work with government, civil society organizations and all stakeholders to ensure that, everyone in Ghana can enjoy their sexual reproductive and human rights no matter where they find themselves without any intimidation," she added.

Mr Lucein Kokuakou, the Regional Director, IPPF, said the institute's aim was to advocate for gender equality, right of women, universal access to sexual and reproductive rights, including measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence.

He said the establishment of the institute was timely because of the continued challenges of high unmet need for family planning, high occurrence of maternal deaths in developing countries, high infant and child mortality and early child marriages.

The Fred Sai Institute will endeavour to bridge the gap through supporting research, modelling and replication of innovative service delivery programmes, he added.

Prof Sai thanked the organisers for the honour done him, adding that the institute would foster Africa empowerment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

He said the findings of the research would serve as advocacy to support social development in education and health and advance access to family planning.