Pamela Bridgewater Project urges stakeholders to intensify outreach on teenage pregnancy
The Founder of Kunata Voluntary Organisation, Yahaya Alhassan, has appealed to stakeholders to channel their advocacy efforts towards outreach programmes aimed at curbing the growing trend of teenage pregnancy among kayayei (head porters).
He made this appeal at Mamobi during an Eid al-Fitr welfare outreach programme organised for Kayayei to mark the end of Ramadan.
Mr Alhassan, whose organisation operates the Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater Project in Ghana, expressed deep concern over reports that some unscrupulous individuals were taking advantage of the vulnerability of young female head porters, leading to cases of exploitation and teenage pregnancy without any responsibility taken by perpetrators.
He commended the strong relationship between kayayei and market women, particularly in the Kejetia and Makola markets, urging them to leverage these motherly and sisterly bonds to counsel young girls against teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Intensify awareness campaigns
He also called on the media and NGOs, especially those operating in northern Ghana, to intensify awareness campaigns to address the issue.
The programme attracted a large number of female porters, who participated in music and dance activities.
Food and drinks were distributed, along with sanitary pads and baby diapers for nursing mothers.
On her part, the event organiser of Kunata Voluntary Organisation, Kwalebu Fuseina Sulemana, educated participants on the dangers of teenage pregnancy and emphasised the importance of reporting and preventing all forms of abuse.
She also expressed appreciation to the President, John Dramani Mahama, for his efforts to make sanitary pads more affordable and accessible, particularly for female students in senior high schools.
The outreach forms part of ongoing efforts by the Pamela Bridgewater Project to empower vulnerable women and girls through education, advocacy and community support initiatives.
