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Ghana

Articles by Ghana

PPAG Ghana image
14 March 2024

Youth-centered approach is essential to our work

In Ghana, we live in communities where some sexual and reproductive health issues are not openly discussed. These issues are stigmatized. I grew up in a neighborhood where teenage pregnancy is prevalent. I did not know much about sexual and reproductive health and rights. However, when I went to the university, I was introduced to the Youth Action Movement (YAM). By joining this movement, I learnt more about myself and everything a young person should know about their sexual and reproductive health. A few years later, the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana advertised for a Youth Action Movement coordinator. I applied and got hired. To be eligible, I must have been volunteering with YAM for at least 2 years and be under the age of 25. Once an individual is beyond the age limit of the movement, another young person needs to come on board. One main essence of this position is to build the capacity of young people and absorb them into the workforce. This rule is key to understanding the role of the YAM Coordinator in our organization. In fact, to coordinate a youth group, you should be a young person. Who knows better what young people need than young people themselves? As a Youth Coordinator, I work to build youth capacity, strengthen meaningful youth participation and provide a platform for young people to enhance their skill set. I am very proud to work for Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana. We are a big organization advancing the SRHR rights of young, marginalized and vulnerable people. .  Currently, YAM has over 15 branches and over 700 volunteers. Our Member Association was set up in 1967 to initially provide family planning services to the people of Ghana however, with time, the association provides more SRHR services than just Family Planning (FP) services to all . Our mission is to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services to all people in Ghana, especially the young and vulnerable, in order to improve their quality of life. Meaningful Youth Participation is one of PPAG's thematic areas Young people are at the heart of our work. We implement a youth-centered approach in all our programmes and activities. This is important for three main reasons. First, in Ghana today, we have many young people across the country. We cannot address issues that affect young people without them. The same goes for the work of IPPF worldwide. We need the input of the people we serve and work with - to voice their opinions and share their thoughts. At IPPF, young people are involved in all decision-making processes. This is what we define as meaningful youth participation. Second, we need creativity. The world is changing. There is a lot of progress. There are many new technologies. Young people are in touch with these changes. They are living it. Therefore, we need them to bring on board new ideas that are in line with these changes and use the new technologies. In this way, IPPF Member Associations will continue to innovate and stay connected to this changing and evolving reality in which young people live. MAs continue to modernize and be attractive for young people to join.  Finally, we need young people in IPPF because of the peer-to-peer approach. Young people feel more comfortable with their peers. In our centers, we see that young people find it easier to talk about sexual health issues with their peers. It is easier for them to open up and have meaningful conversations. Especially because of the stigma that we have in this particular sector - sexual and reproductive health and rights services. And we actually see that by bringing young people on board and training them to be peer educators, the stigma is reduced in the communities because of the youth leadership. Implementing activities by and for young people At Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana, we have developed programmes by and for young people. I am particularly proud of the “Youth fight against SGBV Project' ': it is an advocacy project towards government resourcing the domestic Violence survivors’  support fund. It can be difficult to get funding for advocacy projects like this because we don't see the results immediately. But advocacy, by definition, takes time. The Youth Action Movement (YAM),  uses innovative methods to reach out to young people. In Tamale, we use entertainment to educate young people. Every Saturday we organize sports activities in the communities. At the end of the activity, we always have an educational talk on reproductive health and rights. This is done in short sessions to encourage people to stay and participate. It is a winning package: sport and education. In and out of school sessions on SRHR are also held often.  We  are currently working with the Amaze team on adapting  videos to use in the Ghanaian context. Videos are a great tool: students are more willing to have conversations after watching videos. They want to see something more creative and relatable. Meanwhile, we invested in online platforms to provide SRHR education for all. We set up a model using whatsapp and it's called RHESY - Reproductive Health Education and Services for Young people. Through this group, young people can participate in sessions led by peer educators who are trained in SRHR. We organize small sessions of about 15 people per language. This has been very successful. I would like to emphasize an important point: empowering young people also means giving them professional opportunities. At PPAG, we give young volunteers the opportunity to work as interns in our organization during their holidays. We also have the Youth Support Programme for YAM members to support project officers. It is a platform to build capacity in project design and implementation. Most of our young volunteers are still in school and want to grow as future young professionals. `Anticipating and overcoming barriers When we develop programmes for young people, we take time to identify and overcome potential barriers. Language was one of them: Ghana is a multilingual country. So we make sure that we employ polyglot social workers. Our digital contact center has more than five languages representatives. This allows us to reach more young people, and our colleagues are able to interact more when young people call. Another barrier that we have identified is the timetable of our centers. In some areas, it was observed that young people didn't want to go to our centers during the week because they could meet adults in the centers. So we have opened some of our clinics on Saturdays so that they can come to us in a more discreet way. This is a good example of why it is important to get young people on board: they will help to identify the barriers to access for their peers and will come up with ideas on how to overcome them.  My message is clear: the youth-centered approach is essential to the success of our work.   By Patience Ampomah, Youth SRHR advocate and Youth Action Movement Coordinator of Planned Parenthood Federation Ghana (PPAG) `

Stand together in Ghana

Ghana: IPPFAR is dismayed by the passing of the new anti-LGBTIQ+ rights bill in parliament

Nairobi, Kenya: 2 March 2024 – The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is deeply shocked and disturbed following Ghana’s parliament legislation passed on Wednesday 28 February which severely infringes on LGBTIQ+ rights and urges President Nana Akufo-Addo to not assent it. This regressive bill blatantly violates human rights and sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice, impacting not only the LGBTIQ+ community but all Ghanaians. The introduction of the new anti-LGBTIQ+ bill will undoubtedly result in a surge of attacks on real and perceived members of the LGBTIQ+ community in Ghana, further undermining their fundamental human rights and access to healthcare. The passage of the bill follows closely after Uganda's enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, and amid discussions on a pending anti-LGBTIQ+ bill in Kenya. While Ghana's bill doesn't impose death sentences, it broadens its scope by criminalizing individuals who merely express LGBTIQ+ identity or support, suggesting the exclusion of a significant portion of society. This unacceptable bill imposes a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone convicted of identifying as LGBTIQ+ and imposes a maximum five-year jail term for forming or funding LGBTIQ+ rights groups. Violations imposed by the new bill include infringements on the rights to equality, dignity, privacy, freedom of speech, association, health, freedom from discrimination, arbitrary arrest, and the right to a fair trial. "We wholeheartedly condemn the introduction of this new abhorrent bill and urge President Nana Akufo-Addo to not sign it into law. It has no place in our legal systems or in our societies, and we stand in solidarity with those who continue to stand up for the human rights of all Ghanaians", stated Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, IPPF Africa Regional Director. Local civil society organizations fear a significant increase in arrests, physical assaults against the LGBTIQ+ community, threats to the safety of civil society organizations, and a distressing rise in hate speech targeting LGBTIQ+ individuals and their allies since the bill was passed in parliament. "As the foremost provider of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Africa, we are deeply concerned that the new anti-LGBTIQ+ bill will have a detrimental impact on our delivery of vital SRH services in the country due to the fear of individuals seeking healthcare, including HIV treatment, being targeted, persecuted, or discriminated against", added Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry. This devastating parliament bill is a major setback and is a reminder to remain aware that human rights violations of the LGBTIQ+ community persist across the continent. IPPFAR continues to be concerned about similar attempts to pass anti-LGBTIQ+ legislation in other African countries, as part of a growing effort to curtail SRHR and human rights more broadly. “We must continue to resist efforts to roll back the human rights of Africans and uphold the full enjoyment and protection of sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice for all, regardless of their background, circumstances, sexual orientation, or gender identity”, said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry. The vote by the parliament on Wednesday, along with the strong backing of certain groups for the bill, highlights the parliament's disregard for the human rights and social acceptance of LGBTIQ+ individuals. The anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric reflects a regression in democratic values, and it is crucial for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to reject the bill. We call on all stakeholders to support local activists as they are often at the forefront in the effort for the realization of human rights for all, including SRHR. IPPFAR stands in unwavering solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community, wherever they may be. END For further information or to request an interview, please contact: -Mahmoud GARGA, Lead Strategic Communication, Voice and Media, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFAR) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920   ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Alvaro with YAM Ghana

Ghana: From The Community Level, To The Highest Political Offices, IPPF Director General Advocates For SRHR For All

Accra, February 14, 2024 – The International Planned Parenthood Federation’s (IPPF) Director General, Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, concluded a three-day visit to Ghana this week hosted by IPPF member association Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG). High-level meetings with authorities and partners alongside community-level engagements underscored the two organizations’ commitment to expanding access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare.  “This mission has reaffirmed the robust collaboration between IPPF and PPAG toward our shared vision of universal sexual and reproductive health and rights in Ghana,” said Dr. Bermejo. “I want to thank PPAG and all partners for their efforts and look forward to enhanced global-to-local coordination that ensures information and services reach all who need them.”  Founded in 1967, PPAG was IPPF’s first West African member association. Today it operates over 10 clinics and education centers delivering counseling, contraceptives, maternal care, HIV/AIDS testing, and more. The visit aimed to assess how the Federation could better support its Member Association while identifying persisting barriers around access to SRHR and strengthening joint advocacy and programming with local CSOs and governmental actors.  Upon his arrival, Dr. Bermejo was welcomed by PPAG leadership, staff, and youth advocates. “Your visit represents our collective renewed passions for influencing policy, delivering services, and progressing sexual and reproductive health rights to ensure universal quality of life,” said PPAG Executive Director Abena Adebuah Amoah, capturing a spirit of reinvigorated collaboration set from the outset.  Highlights from the mission included visiting PPAG’s new self-funded clinic under construction in Cape Coast as a symbol of the association’s increasing self-sustainability and ability to reach underserved communities independently. “The urgency and innovation PPAG shows to serve more people epitomize the federation’s bold vision for the future,” Dr. Bermejo remarked.  During his visit, the Director General engaged with members of the Youth Action Movement – PPAG youth arm -  to deepen his understanding of youth perspectives on barriers and solutions to comprehensive sexual health education and services. He was particularly moved by personal stories from youth volunteers and beneficiaries, including teen mothers, early pregnancy survivors, individuals facing disability and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) challenges, as well as those experiencing exclusion due to their LGBTIQ+ identity. The DG assured full support for developing their capacities as informed advocates and programme beneficiaries, highlighting the importance of empathy and tailored support in addressing these critical issues.  Meetings with partners like UNFPA and the Ministry of Health focused on strengthening coordination across the sexual and reproductive health landscape in Ghana. The Director General also met PPAG local partners (CSOs, and embassies) to discuss national priorities and how to reinforce IPPF and PPAG’s role in advancing universal health access and rights-based approaches.  “From the community level to the highest political offices, this visit revealed the deep roots and trust established between PPAG and partners over decades of collaboration to uphold health and human rights,” Dr. Bermejo concluded. “IPPF has supported PPAG since the beginning, and we reaffirm our commitment to advancing quality sexual and reproductive healthcare across Ghana long into the future.”   

IPPF_Georgina Goodwin_Burundi
31 January 2022

Frontiers in SRHR Access for Women and Youth

The project objective is to improve access to Abortion Self Care (ASC), youth empowerment, and strengthening the use of digital interventions. Budget:  1,500,000 USD Donor: The David & Lucile Packard Foundation Timeline: 2 Years ( January 2021 -  December 2022 ) Project implementation areas: Cameroon, Ghana, Cambodia, and India Partners: CAMNAFAW, PPAG,RHAC, FPAI, Ipas, Y-Labs, and IBIS Key achievements to date: Youth engagement in SRHR advocacy ASC as an option for all clients Digital/m health to increase access to SRHR and CSE Influence national guidelines and policies Review of IPPF IMAP- integrating ASC Generating leanings & sharing Building capacities of start-ups ( YSVF) Virtual immersion program Innovative approaches: Access to SRHR and CSE through digital/m health YSVF -  working with young entrepreneurs to accelerate & enhance existing SRHR solutions Lessons learned: Aggregating client data in DHI, DHIs works best in hybrid models compared to stand-alone models, multi-language engagement

IPPF Japan Trust Fund
30 March 2017

Japan Trust Fund

The Japan Trust Fund (JTF) represents a visionary partnership that began in 2000 between the Government of Japan and IPPF. Together, we invest in programmes that prioritize health equity, gender equality, and human security for all. Traditionally a driving force behind IPPF's efforts to support the integrated HIV prevention programmes of our Member Associations in Africa and Asia, JTF has adjusted to reflect changing global health priorities. We attach importance to universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights - an essential contributor to universal health coverage and the global development goals.     These projects have transformed the lives of people most vulnerable to HIV and high risk of maternal and child mortality. Equally, it ensures that as a donor, the GOJ’s response to HIV remains people-centred and contributes to human security.      

Ghana
08 February 2022

Ghana offers free long-term contraception in a ‘game changer’ for women’s reproductive health rights

In a major win for women’s reproductive rights, Ghana’s National Health Insurance Program has expanded to include free long-term contraception from 1 January 2022. The move will allow millions of women of reproductive age who are already covered by national health insurance to avoid paying out of pocket for family planning methods such as the implant, coil and injections. It comes after a two-year pilot study found that including family planning services in health benefits packages resulted in a greater uptake of long-term contraception and future government savings in direct care costs.   “We are excited that at long last, long-term family planning methods are included in the National Health Insurance Scheme,” said Abena Adubea Amoah, the Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood of Ghana (PPAG), an IPPF Member Association. “This means long time peace of mind for women, girls and their families with potential positive impact on their health and economic life.”   Tackling deep-rooted barriers to healthcare In late 2021, the government of Ghana launched a year-long campaign aimed at raising awareness of and preventing maternal deaths in line with Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The role of family planning in reducing preventable maternal death is well documented, with unsafe abortion being one of the leading causes. Yet, Ghana is a country where deep-rooted cultural norms and structural barriers perpetuate poor sexual and reproductive health, including high risks of maternal mortality, high numbers of sexually transmitted infections and low levels of contraceptive use. Despite making important progress in recent years, Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio is 308 per 100,000 live births, which is still well above the SDG target of less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.   PPAG will play an important role in supporting the government in its campaign to prevent maternal deaths and disabilities. Since 1967, PPAG has provided the people of Ghana with family planning services as well as maternal and child health care, infertility management, and voluntary counselling and testing for sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDS. With over 100 staff members, a team of 1,000 volunteers, and 300 peer educators, PPAG is well-positioned to deliver health services and programmes through permanent and mobile clinics in urban and rural communities across the country. The association's Youth Action Team, comprised of over 810 young people, leads a number of educational and awareness-raising activities at 1000 community-based service points across the country.  The contraceptive injection, implant, IUD - some of the options on offer to women in Ghana. Image: Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition “The youth of Ghana remain the bedrock of the country’s socio-economic development and a critical force for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals alongside the African Union Agenda 2063,” said Ishmael Selassie, PPAG’s Youth Programmes Manager. “The recent move by the government of Ghana to make contraceptives and related services covered by the national health insurance scheme is a game changer. The youth of this country, especially the poor, vulnerable and adolescent girls can hopefully live a healthy sexual life with the assurance of unhindered access to family planning and contraceptive services.”    Expanded, free access to long-term contraception is also a progressive step towards the global goal of Universal Health Coverage by 2030 – a framework that allows all individuals and communities to receive the health services and care they need without suffering financial hardship.   Reaching women through community-based services Still, nearly half (3.7 million) of an estimated 7.7 million women of reproductive age in Ghana do not have health insurance and family planning services may continue to be unaffordable for many. Inequitable distribution of health care facilities across the country means that many women in rural communities do not have access to lifesaving family planning and other sexual and reproductive health care services. Reaching these women through community-based services, and encouraging them to sign up to the newly expanded health insurance program will be crucial in ensuring the government reaches its goal of zero tolerance for maternal deaths and disabilities by 2030.   To support these efforts, PPAG deploys trained community volunteers to provide information, education and selected family planning services in their local communities. Emmanuel Akoto, the director of Programmes and Service Delivery at PPAG, said these volunteers play an important role in delivering contraceptives to the ‘doorsteps’ of those in need.   “They serve as a link between their community and health facilities within their localities, complementing the efforts of health care providers by creating demand and making referrals for sexual and reproductive health services,” he said. “This concept is very important because it is community-owned, devoid of stigmatization, cost effective and sustainable.”   As an established leader in Sub-Saharan Africa in providing health benefits packages paid for by the government, Ghana may serve as an example to other countries looking to expand universal health coverage by providing reliable family planning services for millions of women around the world.   For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Adobe stock 1
31 January 2022

GAC Youth Centres of Excellence

  The project seeks to empower young people through rights-based sexual and reproductive health service delivery and comprehensive sexuality education. Budget:  6,392,160 USD Donor: Global Affairs Canada Timeline: 3 Years ( 2019 – 2022 ) Project implementation areas: Colombia, Ghana and Togo Partners: Pro-familia, PPAG, ATBEF Key achievements to date: 12 Member Associations (MA) supported through peer-to-peer support by 2 CoE Hosts Over 400,000 SRH services provided to young people Two Anglophone and One Francophone events held in 2021 Involvement of the Youth Action Movement Innovative approaches: Use of Digital Knowledge products(infoado jeunes App and e-learning platform) to expand access to CSE Lessons learned:  Need to document best and promising practices Learning Sessions between CoE hosts needs to be strengthened

UHC Day
14 January 2022

Universal Health Coverage: a call to action

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means that all people can obtain basic health services when they need them, without suffering financial hardship. UHC must include addressing barriers people face when seeking healthcare services, and ensure they are available, accessible, acceptable, affordable and of high quality. Achieving this is vital because healthy populations can better contribute socially and economically, while poor health is a major driver of poverty. As countries around the world plan the path ahead, we must support and optimize local efforts towards the inclusion of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights within Universal Health Coverage. IPPF calls on governments, donors and partners to ensure that Universal Health Coverage is achieved by taking the necessary action on the global stage.

Prof. Sai at the Relauch of the Prof. Fred. T. Sai Institute
18 September 2019

IPPF pays tribute to Professor Fred Sai – a global champion, pioneer and leader of SRHR

IPPF’s Director General has led the global Federation in paying tribute to the dedicated and pioneering work of the late Professor Fred Sai. Professor Sai dedicated over fifty years to championing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, campaigning and advocating for access to contraception and safe and legal abortion. He was the first African President of IPPF between 1989 to 1995 and the co-founder in 1967 of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), an IPPF member association. Professor Sai also chaired the main committees of both the 1984 International Conference on Population and Development in Mexico City and the landmark 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo. As well as co-founding PPAG, his advocacy for access to contraception in Ghana led to the provision of subsidized family planning services by the Government in 2007 under the Free Maternal Health Policy. In 2014, the Fred T. Sai Institute was established by the IPPF Africa Region in Professor Sai’s honour, as a pioneer public health institute, championing research on population and sexual and reproductive health across the Africa Region and generating evidence of effective health strategies through the funding of postgraduate research and the organisation of a biennial dissemination forum between academia, NGOs and Governments. IPPF’s Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo said: “The world of sexual and reproductive health has lost a giant. We join the world in honouring Professor Fred Sai and paying tribute to a champion and pioneer who did so much to improve the rights of women and girls in Ghana, in Africa and around the globe.” IPPF Africa Acting Region Director Dr Haingo Rabearimonjy said: “We have lost hero of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Prof Sai was a genuine advocate of gender equality and women empowerment. His work has shaped how we delivery SRH services to youth and women today. He was a champion with an unparalleled gift of garnering support for SRHR from all corners of the globe. It is with deep sorrow that we unite the world to honour our dearly departed godfather of SRHR.” 

PPAG
08 March 2019

Partnerships For Improved Maternal Health: The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) Experience

The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), with support from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan) through the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP) from 2013 - 2016 implemented an innovative four-year maternal health project in the Kwahu East District of the Eastern region of Ghana. The project was aimed at complementing the government’s efforts to adequately respond to the maternal health needs of women in Kwahu East, specifically in the following locations: Kotoso, Bonkrase, Aguadzekrom, Sempoa and Hyewohoden. Strategies that PPAG used to Enhance Success Some of the approaches that PPAG employed to enhance the project’s success included: Establishment of Strong Partnerships At the start of the project, PPAG identified partners to collaborate with to ensure success. Some of these partners included: The District Directorate of Ghana Health Service (GHS), Kwahu East District Assembly, the Traditional Council and different community members. All these partners brought in their different strengths, which worked to the advantage of the project. Formation of a Management Committee For better coordination and delivery of results, a management committee was formed for purposes of providing an oversight responsibility for the management of the health facilities. These responsibilities were undertaken with the guidance of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Members of the committee included: a representative from the District Director of Health (Chairperson), the PPAG head office (SMT), PPAG middle zone, Head of facility (PPAG staff - Secretary), Head of technical staff of the clinic (Physician Assistant from Ghana Health Service), Midwife of the facility (GHS), Disease Control Officer, Head of Community Health Nurses, Assembly member of the area, representative from the traditional council and a representative from JOICFP. The main functions of the committee were: Authorization of activities Formulation of policies Performance tracking Programmatic decision making Contribution by Partners The partners had complementary roles to play as stipulated in the MoU, as outlined below: -           PPAG coordinated the project -           JOICFP provided the needed financial support, supply of clinical equipment and capacity development -           The Traditional Council provided land at no cost for the construction of the facilities -           All engineering works were carried out by the District Assembly. These included: access to water, electricity and accommodation for some key staff (this facilitated a 24-hour running of the clinic). -           Ghana Health Service (GHS) provided technical staff to manage the facilities -           Community members were used as implementers. These were Community-Based Service agents who educated the public on different aspects of sexual reproductive health and who also provided some level of services, such as provision of contraceptives like condoms and oral pills. The community-based agents also made timely referrals to health facilities on a need basis. They further mobilized members of the community during outreach activities and provided reproductive health information messages through film shows and drama performances. Reproductive health services were provided during these outreaches, hence worked in bringing health services closer to the community. A comprehensive sustainability plan was put in place to ensure continuity with respect to activity implementation and partnership. Project Achievements During the project the below achievements were recorded: The construction of five health facilities The construction of one clinic and four Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds in the surrounding communities Project Results 52,486 reproductive health services had been provided as at July 2016 The average monthly family planning acceptor rate stood at 13 23,815 clients received modern contraceptives from April 2013 - June 2016. 39,233 child welfare services were provided 9,949 ante-natal services had been provided 903 women had delivered under the care of skilled health workers PPAG's collaboration with partners in the success of this maternal health project was identified as one of FPAM’s Good Practices during the 3rd Cycle of Accreditation. A Good Practice is an activity or practice that has been proven to work and yields positive results. The sharing of Good Practices by IPPF Member Associations offers learning experiences for their counterparts.See other Good Practices from our Member Associations: Mobile Clinics in Cape Verde: Taking Services Closer to the People Awarding the Best Performing Clinics: Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) What’s in a Game? ABUBEF’s use of Playing Cards for Youth SRHR Education     Learn more about Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) here. Connect with PPAG on Facebook and Twitter.    For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.   Featured Photo: IPPF/Files/NancyDurrell

PPAG Ghana image
14 March 2024

Youth-centered approach is essential to our work

In Ghana, we live in communities where some sexual and reproductive health issues are not openly discussed. These issues are stigmatized. I grew up in a neighborhood where teenage pregnancy is prevalent. I did not know much about sexual and reproductive health and rights. However, when I went to the university, I was introduced to the Youth Action Movement (YAM). By joining this movement, I learnt more about myself and everything a young person should know about their sexual and reproductive health. A few years later, the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana advertised for a Youth Action Movement coordinator. I applied and got hired. To be eligible, I must have been volunteering with YAM for at least 2 years and be under the age of 25. Once an individual is beyond the age limit of the movement, another young person needs to come on board. One main essence of this position is to build the capacity of young people and absorb them into the workforce. This rule is key to understanding the role of the YAM Coordinator in our organization. In fact, to coordinate a youth group, you should be a young person. Who knows better what young people need than young people themselves? As a Youth Coordinator, I work to build youth capacity, strengthen meaningful youth participation and provide a platform for young people to enhance their skill set. I am very proud to work for Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana. We are a big organization advancing the SRHR rights of young, marginalized and vulnerable people. .  Currently, YAM has over 15 branches and over 700 volunteers. Our Member Association was set up in 1967 to initially provide family planning services to the people of Ghana however, with time, the association provides more SRHR services than just Family Planning (FP) services to all . Our mission is to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services to all people in Ghana, especially the young and vulnerable, in order to improve their quality of life. Meaningful Youth Participation is one of PPAG's thematic areas Young people are at the heart of our work. We implement a youth-centered approach in all our programmes and activities. This is important for three main reasons. First, in Ghana today, we have many young people across the country. We cannot address issues that affect young people without them. The same goes for the work of IPPF worldwide. We need the input of the people we serve and work with - to voice their opinions and share their thoughts. At IPPF, young people are involved in all decision-making processes. This is what we define as meaningful youth participation. Second, we need creativity. The world is changing. There is a lot of progress. There are many new technologies. Young people are in touch with these changes. They are living it. Therefore, we need them to bring on board new ideas that are in line with these changes and use the new technologies. In this way, IPPF Member Associations will continue to innovate and stay connected to this changing and evolving reality in which young people live. MAs continue to modernize and be attractive for young people to join.  Finally, we need young people in IPPF because of the peer-to-peer approach. Young people feel more comfortable with their peers. In our centers, we see that young people find it easier to talk about sexual health issues with their peers. It is easier for them to open up and have meaningful conversations. Especially because of the stigma that we have in this particular sector - sexual and reproductive health and rights services. And we actually see that by bringing young people on board and training them to be peer educators, the stigma is reduced in the communities because of the youth leadership. Implementing activities by and for young people At Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana, we have developed programmes by and for young people. I am particularly proud of the “Youth fight against SGBV Project' ': it is an advocacy project towards government resourcing the domestic Violence survivors’  support fund. It can be difficult to get funding for advocacy projects like this because we don't see the results immediately. But advocacy, by definition, takes time. The Youth Action Movement (YAM),  uses innovative methods to reach out to young people. In Tamale, we use entertainment to educate young people. Every Saturday we organize sports activities in the communities. At the end of the activity, we always have an educational talk on reproductive health and rights. This is done in short sessions to encourage people to stay and participate. It is a winning package: sport and education. In and out of school sessions on SRHR are also held often.  We  are currently working with the Amaze team on adapting  videos to use in the Ghanaian context. Videos are a great tool: students are more willing to have conversations after watching videos. They want to see something more creative and relatable. Meanwhile, we invested in online platforms to provide SRHR education for all. We set up a model using whatsapp and it's called RHESY - Reproductive Health Education and Services for Young people. Through this group, young people can participate in sessions led by peer educators who are trained in SRHR. We organize small sessions of about 15 people per language. This has been very successful. I would like to emphasize an important point: empowering young people also means giving them professional opportunities. At PPAG, we give young volunteers the opportunity to work as interns in our organization during their holidays. We also have the Youth Support Programme for YAM members to support project officers. It is a platform to build capacity in project design and implementation. Most of our young volunteers are still in school and want to grow as future young professionals. `Anticipating and overcoming barriers When we develop programmes for young people, we take time to identify and overcome potential barriers. Language was one of them: Ghana is a multilingual country. So we make sure that we employ polyglot social workers. Our digital contact center has more than five languages representatives. This allows us to reach more young people, and our colleagues are able to interact more when young people call. Another barrier that we have identified is the timetable of our centers. In some areas, it was observed that young people didn't want to go to our centers during the week because they could meet adults in the centers. So we have opened some of our clinics on Saturdays so that they can come to us in a more discreet way. This is a good example of why it is important to get young people on board: they will help to identify the barriers to access for their peers and will come up with ideas on how to overcome them.  My message is clear: the youth-centered approach is essential to the success of our work.   By Patience Ampomah, Youth SRHR advocate and Youth Action Movement Coordinator of Planned Parenthood Federation Ghana (PPAG) `

Stand together in Ghana

Ghana: IPPFAR is dismayed by the passing of the new anti-LGBTIQ+ rights bill in parliament

Nairobi, Kenya: 2 March 2024 – The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is deeply shocked and disturbed following Ghana’s parliament legislation passed on Wednesday 28 February which severely infringes on LGBTIQ+ rights and urges President Nana Akufo-Addo to not assent it. This regressive bill blatantly violates human rights and sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice, impacting not only the LGBTIQ+ community but all Ghanaians. The introduction of the new anti-LGBTIQ+ bill will undoubtedly result in a surge of attacks on real and perceived members of the LGBTIQ+ community in Ghana, further undermining their fundamental human rights and access to healthcare. The passage of the bill follows closely after Uganda's enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, and amid discussions on a pending anti-LGBTIQ+ bill in Kenya. While Ghana's bill doesn't impose death sentences, it broadens its scope by criminalizing individuals who merely express LGBTIQ+ identity or support, suggesting the exclusion of a significant portion of society. This unacceptable bill imposes a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone convicted of identifying as LGBTIQ+ and imposes a maximum five-year jail term for forming or funding LGBTIQ+ rights groups. Violations imposed by the new bill include infringements on the rights to equality, dignity, privacy, freedom of speech, association, health, freedom from discrimination, arbitrary arrest, and the right to a fair trial. "We wholeheartedly condemn the introduction of this new abhorrent bill and urge President Nana Akufo-Addo to not sign it into law. It has no place in our legal systems or in our societies, and we stand in solidarity with those who continue to stand up for the human rights of all Ghanaians", stated Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, IPPF Africa Regional Director. Local civil society organizations fear a significant increase in arrests, physical assaults against the LGBTIQ+ community, threats to the safety of civil society organizations, and a distressing rise in hate speech targeting LGBTIQ+ individuals and their allies since the bill was passed in parliament. "As the foremost provider of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Africa, we are deeply concerned that the new anti-LGBTIQ+ bill will have a detrimental impact on our delivery of vital SRH services in the country due to the fear of individuals seeking healthcare, including HIV treatment, being targeted, persecuted, or discriminated against", added Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry. This devastating parliament bill is a major setback and is a reminder to remain aware that human rights violations of the LGBTIQ+ community persist across the continent. IPPFAR continues to be concerned about similar attempts to pass anti-LGBTIQ+ legislation in other African countries, as part of a growing effort to curtail SRHR and human rights more broadly. “We must continue to resist efforts to roll back the human rights of Africans and uphold the full enjoyment and protection of sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice for all, regardless of their background, circumstances, sexual orientation, or gender identity”, said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry. The vote by the parliament on Wednesday, along with the strong backing of certain groups for the bill, highlights the parliament's disregard for the human rights and social acceptance of LGBTIQ+ individuals. The anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric reflects a regression in democratic values, and it is crucial for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to reject the bill. We call on all stakeholders to support local activists as they are often at the forefront in the effort for the realization of human rights for all, including SRHR. IPPFAR stands in unwavering solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community, wherever they may be. END For further information or to request an interview, please contact: -Mahmoud GARGA, Lead Strategic Communication, Voice and Media, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFAR) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920   ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Alvaro with YAM Ghana

Ghana: From The Community Level, To The Highest Political Offices, IPPF Director General Advocates For SRHR For All

Accra, February 14, 2024 – The International Planned Parenthood Federation’s (IPPF) Director General, Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, concluded a three-day visit to Ghana this week hosted by IPPF member association Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG). High-level meetings with authorities and partners alongside community-level engagements underscored the two organizations’ commitment to expanding access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare.  “This mission has reaffirmed the robust collaboration between IPPF and PPAG toward our shared vision of universal sexual and reproductive health and rights in Ghana,” said Dr. Bermejo. “I want to thank PPAG and all partners for their efforts and look forward to enhanced global-to-local coordination that ensures information and services reach all who need them.”  Founded in 1967, PPAG was IPPF’s first West African member association. Today it operates over 10 clinics and education centers delivering counseling, contraceptives, maternal care, HIV/AIDS testing, and more. The visit aimed to assess how the Federation could better support its Member Association while identifying persisting barriers around access to SRHR and strengthening joint advocacy and programming with local CSOs and governmental actors.  Upon his arrival, Dr. Bermejo was welcomed by PPAG leadership, staff, and youth advocates. “Your visit represents our collective renewed passions for influencing policy, delivering services, and progressing sexual and reproductive health rights to ensure universal quality of life,” said PPAG Executive Director Abena Adebuah Amoah, capturing a spirit of reinvigorated collaboration set from the outset.  Highlights from the mission included visiting PPAG’s new self-funded clinic under construction in Cape Coast as a symbol of the association’s increasing self-sustainability and ability to reach underserved communities independently. “The urgency and innovation PPAG shows to serve more people epitomize the federation’s bold vision for the future,” Dr. Bermejo remarked.  During his visit, the Director General engaged with members of the Youth Action Movement – PPAG youth arm -  to deepen his understanding of youth perspectives on barriers and solutions to comprehensive sexual health education and services. He was particularly moved by personal stories from youth volunteers and beneficiaries, including teen mothers, early pregnancy survivors, individuals facing disability and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) challenges, as well as those experiencing exclusion due to their LGBTIQ+ identity. The DG assured full support for developing their capacities as informed advocates and programme beneficiaries, highlighting the importance of empathy and tailored support in addressing these critical issues.  Meetings with partners like UNFPA and the Ministry of Health focused on strengthening coordination across the sexual and reproductive health landscape in Ghana. The Director General also met PPAG local partners (CSOs, and embassies) to discuss national priorities and how to reinforce IPPF and PPAG’s role in advancing universal health access and rights-based approaches.  “From the community level to the highest political offices, this visit revealed the deep roots and trust established between PPAG and partners over decades of collaboration to uphold health and human rights,” Dr. Bermejo concluded. “IPPF has supported PPAG since the beginning, and we reaffirm our commitment to advancing quality sexual and reproductive healthcare across Ghana long into the future.”   

IPPF_Georgina Goodwin_Burundi
31 January 2022

Frontiers in SRHR Access for Women and Youth

The project objective is to improve access to Abortion Self Care (ASC), youth empowerment, and strengthening the use of digital interventions. Budget:  1,500,000 USD Donor: The David & Lucile Packard Foundation Timeline: 2 Years ( January 2021 -  December 2022 ) Project implementation areas: Cameroon, Ghana, Cambodia, and India Partners: CAMNAFAW, PPAG,RHAC, FPAI, Ipas, Y-Labs, and IBIS Key achievements to date: Youth engagement in SRHR advocacy ASC as an option for all clients Digital/m health to increase access to SRHR and CSE Influence national guidelines and policies Review of IPPF IMAP- integrating ASC Generating leanings & sharing Building capacities of start-ups ( YSVF) Virtual immersion program Innovative approaches: Access to SRHR and CSE through digital/m health YSVF -  working with young entrepreneurs to accelerate & enhance existing SRHR solutions Lessons learned: Aggregating client data in DHI, DHIs works best in hybrid models compared to stand-alone models, multi-language engagement

IPPF Japan Trust Fund
30 March 2017

Japan Trust Fund

The Japan Trust Fund (JTF) represents a visionary partnership that began in 2000 between the Government of Japan and IPPF. Together, we invest in programmes that prioritize health equity, gender equality, and human security for all. Traditionally a driving force behind IPPF's efforts to support the integrated HIV prevention programmes of our Member Associations in Africa and Asia, JTF has adjusted to reflect changing global health priorities. We attach importance to universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights - an essential contributor to universal health coverage and the global development goals.     These projects have transformed the lives of people most vulnerable to HIV and high risk of maternal and child mortality. Equally, it ensures that as a donor, the GOJ’s response to HIV remains people-centred and contributes to human security.      

Ghana
08 February 2022

Ghana offers free long-term contraception in a ‘game changer’ for women’s reproductive health rights

In a major win for women’s reproductive rights, Ghana’s National Health Insurance Program has expanded to include free long-term contraception from 1 January 2022. The move will allow millions of women of reproductive age who are already covered by national health insurance to avoid paying out of pocket for family planning methods such as the implant, coil and injections. It comes after a two-year pilot study found that including family planning services in health benefits packages resulted in a greater uptake of long-term contraception and future government savings in direct care costs.   “We are excited that at long last, long-term family planning methods are included in the National Health Insurance Scheme,” said Abena Adubea Amoah, the Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood of Ghana (PPAG), an IPPF Member Association. “This means long time peace of mind for women, girls and their families with potential positive impact on their health and economic life.”   Tackling deep-rooted barriers to healthcare In late 2021, the government of Ghana launched a year-long campaign aimed at raising awareness of and preventing maternal deaths in line with Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The role of family planning in reducing preventable maternal death is well documented, with unsafe abortion being one of the leading causes. Yet, Ghana is a country where deep-rooted cultural norms and structural barriers perpetuate poor sexual and reproductive health, including high risks of maternal mortality, high numbers of sexually transmitted infections and low levels of contraceptive use. Despite making important progress in recent years, Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio is 308 per 100,000 live births, which is still well above the SDG target of less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.   PPAG will play an important role in supporting the government in its campaign to prevent maternal deaths and disabilities. Since 1967, PPAG has provided the people of Ghana with family planning services as well as maternal and child health care, infertility management, and voluntary counselling and testing for sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDS. With over 100 staff members, a team of 1,000 volunteers, and 300 peer educators, PPAG is well-positioned to deliver health services and programmes through permanent and mobile clinics in urban and rural communities across the country. The association's Youth Action Team, comprised of over 810 young people, leads a number of educational and awareness-raising activities at 1000 community-based service points across the country.  The contraceptive injection, implant, IUD - some of the options on offer to women in Ghana. Image: Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition “The youth of Ghana remain the bedrock of the country’s socio-economic development and a critical force for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals alongside the African Union Agenda 2063,” said Ishmael Selassie, PPAG’s Youth Programmes Manager. “The recent move by the government of Ghana to make contraceptives and related services covered by the national health insurance scheme is a game changer. The youth of this country, especially the poor, vulnerable and adolescent girls can hopefully live a healthy sexual life with the assurance of unhindered access to family planning and contraceptive services.”    Expanded, free access to long-term contraception is also a progressive step towards the global goal of Universal Health Coverage by 2030 – a framework that allows all individuals and communities to receive the health services and care they need without suffering financial hardship.   Reaching women through community-based services Still, nearly half (3.7 million) of an estimated 7.7 million women of reproductive age in Ghana do not have health insurance and family planning services may continue to be unaffordable for many. Inequitable distribution of health care facilities across the country means that many women in rural communities do not have access to lifesaving family planning and other sexual and reproductive health care services. Reaching these women through community-based services, and encouraging them to sign up to the newly expanded health insurance program will be crucial in ensuring the government reaches its goal of zero tolerance for maternal deaths and disabilities by 2030.   To support these efforts, PPAG deploys trained community volunteers to provide information, education and selected family planning services in their local communities. Emmanuel Akoto, the director of Programmes and Service Delivery at PPAG, said these volunteers play an important role in delivering contraceptives to the ‘doorsteps’ of those in need.   “They serve as a link between their community and health facilities within their localities, complementing the efforts of health care providers by creating demand and making referrals for sexual and reproductive health services,” he said. “This concept is very important because it is community-owned, devoid of stigmatization, cost effective and sustainable.”   As an established leader in Sub-Saharan Africa in providing health benefits packages paid for by the government, Ghana may serve as an example to other countries looking to expand universal health coverage by providing reliable family planning services for millions of women around the world.   For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Adobe stock 1
31 January 2022

GAC Youth Centres of Excellence

  The project seeks to empower young people through rights-based sexual and reproductive health service delivery and comprehensive sexuality education. Budget:  6,392,160 USD Donor: Global Affairs Canada Timeline: 3 Years ( 2019 – 2022 ) Project implementation areas: Colombia, Ghana and Togo Partners: Pro-familia, PPAG, ATBEF Key achievements to date: 12 Member Associations (MA) supported through peer-to-peer support by 2 CoE Hosts Over 400,000 SRH services provided to young people Two Anglophone and One Francophone events held in 2021 Involvement of the Youth Action Movement Innovative approaches: Use of Digital Knowledge products(infoado jeunes App and e-learning platform) to expand access to CSE Lessons learned:  Need to document best and promising practices Learning Sessions between CoE hosts needs to be strengthened

UHC Day
14 January 2022

Universal Health Coverage: a call to action

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means that all people can obtain basic health services when they need them, without suffering financial hardship. UHC must include addressing barriers people face when seeking healthcare services, and ensure they are available, accessible, acceptable, affordable and of high quality. Achieving this is vital because healthy populations can better contribute socially and economically, while poor health is a major driver of poverty. As countries around the world plan the path ahead, we must support and optimize local efforts towards the inclusion of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights within Universal Health Coverage. IPPF calls on governments, donors and partners to ensure that Universal Health Coverage is achieved by taking the necessary action on the global stage.

Prof. Sai at the Relauch of the Prof. Fred. T. Sai Institute
18 September 2019

IPPF pays tribute to Professor Fred Sai – a global champion, pioneer and leader of SRHR

IPPF’s Director General has led the global Federation in paying tribute to the dedicated and pioneering work of the late Professor Fred Sai. Professor Sai dedicated over fifty years to championing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, campaigning and advocating for access to contraception and safe and legal abortion. He was the first African President of IPPF between 1989 to 1995 and the co-founder in 1967 of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), an IPPF member association. Professor Sai also chaired the main committees of both the 1984 International Conference on Population and Development in Mexico City and the landmark 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo. As well as co-founding PPAG, his advocacy for access to contraception in Ghana led to the provision of subsidized family planning services by the Government in 2007 under the Free Maternal Health Policy. In 2014, the Fred T. Sai Institute was established by the IPPF Africa Region in Professor Sai’s honour, as a pioneer public health institute, championing research on population and sexual and reproductive health across the Africa Region and generating evidence of effective health strategies through the funding of postgraduate research and the organisation of a biennial dissemination forum between academia, NGOs and Governments. IPPF’s Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo said: “The world of sexual and reproductive health has lost a giant. We join the world in honouring Professor Fred Sai and paying tribute to a champion and pioneer who did so much to improve the rights of women and girls in Ghana, in Africa and around the globe.” IPPF Africa Acting Region Director Dr Haingo Rabearimonjy said: “We have lost hero of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Prof Sai was a genuine advocate of gender equality and women empowerment. His work has shaped how we delivery SRH services to youth and women today. He was a champion with an unparalleled gift of garnering support for SRHR from all corners of the globe. It is with deep sorrow that we unite the world to honour our dearly departed godfather of SRHR.” 

PPAG
08 March 2019

Partnerships For Improved Maternal Health: The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) Experience

The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), with support from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan) through the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP) from 2013 - 2016 implemented an innovative four-year maternal health project in the Kwahu East District of the Eastern region of Ghana. The project was aimed at complementing the government’s efforts to adequately respond to the maternal health needs of women in Kwahu East, specifically in the following locations: Kotoso, Bonkrase, Aguadzekrom, Sempoa and Hyewohoden. Strategies that PPAG used to Enhance Success Some of the approaches that PPAG employed to enhance the project’s success included: Establishment of Strong Partnerships At the start of the project, PPAG identified partners to collaborate with to ensure success. Some of these partners included: The District Directorate of Ghana Health Service (GHS), Kwahu East District Assembly, the Traditional Council and different community members. All these partners brought in their different strengths, which worked to the advantage of the project. Formation of a Management Committee For better coordination and delivery of results, a management committee was formed for purposes of providing an oversight responsibility for the management of the health facilities. These responsibilities were undertaken with the guidance of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Members of the committee included: a representative from the District Director of Health (Chairperson), the PPAG head office (SMT), PPAG middle zone, Head of facility (PPAG staff - Secretary), Head of technical staff of the clinic (Physician Assistant from Ghana Health Service), Midwife of the facility (GHS), Disease Control Officer, Head of Community Health Nurses, Assembly member of the area, representative from the traditional council and a representative from JOICFP. The main functions of the committee were: Authorization of activities Formulation of policies Performance tracking Programmatic decision making Contribution by Partners The partners had complementary roles to play as stipulated in the MoU, as outlined below: -           PPAG coordinated the project -           JOICFP provided the needed financial support, supply of clinical equipment and capacity development -           The Traditional Council provided land at no cost for the construction of the facilities -           All engineering works were carried out by the District Assembly. These included: access to water, electricity and accommodation for some key staff (this facilitated a 24-hour running of the clinic). -           Ghana Health Service (GHS) provided technical staff to manage the facilities -           Community members were used as implementers. These were Community-Based Service agents who educated the public on different aspects of sexual reproductive health and who also provided some level of services, such as provision of contraceptives like condoms and oral pills. The community-based agents also made timely referrals to health facilities on a need basis. They further mobilized members of the community during outreach activities and provided reproductive health information messages through film shows and drama performances. Reproductive health services were provided during these outreaches, hence worked in bringing health services closer to the community. A comprehensive sustainability plan was put in place to ensure continuity with respect to activity implementation and partnership. Project Achievements During the project the below achievements were recorded: The construction of five health facilities The construction of one clinic and four Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds in the surrounding communities Project Results 52,486 reproductive health services had been provided as at July 2016 The average monthly family planning acceptor rate stood at 13 23,815 clients received modern contraceptives from April 2013 - June 2016. 39,233 child welfare services were provided 9,949 ante-natal services had been provided 903 women had delivered under the care of skilled health workers PPAG's collaboration with partners in the success of this maternal health project was identified as one of FPAM’s Good Practices during the 3rd Cycle of Accreditation. A Good Practice is an activity or practice that has been proven to work and yields positive results. The sharing of Good Practices by IPPF Member Associations offers learning experiences for their counterparts.See other Good Practices from our Member Associations: Mobile Clinics in Cape Verde: Taking Services Closer to the People Awarding the Best Performing Clinics: Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) What’s in a Game? ABUBEF’s use of Playing Cards for Youth SRHR Education     Learn more about Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) here. Connect with PPAG on Facebook and Twitter.    For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.   Featured Photo: IPPF/Files/NancyDurrell