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‘Educate children on sexual and reproductive health’
Ms Kpan (second from right) with other speakers at the meeting
The officer in charge of girl-child education at the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Upper West Region, Ms. Janet Kpan, has appealed to parents to provide sexual and reproductive health education (SRHE) to their children to prevent them from seeking the knowledge from their friends and peers.
Many parents, she said, had left the SRHE to only health workers and other stakeholders, including unqualified individuals such as their children’s peers, who mostly shared very unwholesome information with their colleagues.
She could not fathom why parents found it difficult to discuss reproductive health issues with their wards and shied away from mentioning the names of private parts and certain basic issues such as menstruation in front of their wards.
Ms. Kpan said this at Wa during a stakeholders’ meeting on sexual and reproductive health organised by youth advocacy groups on “Informed Choices for Change” (IC4C) in the Upper West Region at the behest of Norsaac, a Tamale based non-governmental organisation.
“Parents gave birth to the child; what education are they giving them on their sexual health? Most parents find it very difficult to give such education to their wards, but the child needs to know that when she begins to grow breasts, it is a sign of maturity, which will be followed by menstruation, at which point sleeping with a man could make her pregnant,” she said.
He indicated that boys also needed to know that early sex could
make them premature fathers and also cause them to acquire sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STD/Is).
“Most of our children in school are sexually active, and we must come to terms with that fact so that we can prevent them from indulging in early sex with its implications,” she said.
Ms. Kpan explained that to help protect the girls, the GES was working with health professionals who had been trained in that regard to create adolescent corners in some of the senior high schools to provide SRHE services to the students.
“Sex education in schools is helping to enlighten the young ones on how to abstain from sex if they want to avoid STD/Is and how to use condoms if they cannot abstain, but GES preaches abstinence to avoid pregnancy and other issues,” she said.
She indicated that educating adolescents on reproductive health and socio-cultural responses would enable them to understand their biological makeup as well as that of the opposite sex, and this, according to her, would help them develop themselves and avoid questionable bahaviours.
“Adolescent reproductive health issues are multifaceted and necessitate collaboration of various stakeholders in health, education, social welfare, media, religion, as well as women’s and children’s groups, among others,” she explained.
This, she said, would enable the stakeholders to achieve improved responsible sexual and health behaviour among adolescents and also offer the young ones the opportunity to learn more about transitioning from childhood to adulthood.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Prophet Courage Heavens set to launch ‘Predestination’ book on March 23
Prophet Courage A. Heavens is set to launch the much-awaited book titled ‘Predestination’ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.
The launch, which is expected to impact lives, will take place at Crossgates Ministries, Flattop, off N1 Highway, opposite Angel Hauz.
The book is aimed at addressing the way people struggle to understand how free will and destiny align.
It is also aimed at providing clarity on God’s sovereignty and one’s place in His divine plan.
The various chapters of the book address various issues through scriptures and personal stories.
Committed to impacting society, part of the proceeds from the book will go into Courage Heavens Education Legacy (CHEL), an educational foundation transforming lives.
CHEL is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to brilliant but needy students, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.
Prophet Courage Heavens is a prolific writer and previously authored Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, a powerful book that encourages unwavering faith in times of trials.
In addition, he has written seven more prophetic and life-changing books that are yet to be published.
He is dedicated to raising the next generation for impactful ministry. As the leader of Crossgates Ministries, he nurtures believers in faith and purpose.
