UNFPA Ghana with support from Prudential Life Insurance Ghana have empowered 500 vulnerable girls through the Kayayei Assistance Project (KASPRO) on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights education (SRHR), sexual and gender-based violence and the provision of vocational skills. A KASPRO Expo was held on 4th December,2020 to showcase the results of empowering vulnerable populations in the society.
Speaking at the Expo, Mr. Niyi Ojuolape, UNFPA Country Representative, stated that KASPRO was designed to demonstrate effective, workable approaches in addressing the dynamics and needs of vulnerable populations, specifically Kayayei during and after a humanitarian crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that “the Expo has been organized to show the benefits we can reap when we make the right investments into the lives of the people of Ghana,”. Recognizing the vulnerabilities Kayayei face in the quest to earn a living, Mr. Ojuolape stressed that Kayayei need a sustained help hence the implementation of the project.
Madam Frances Baaba Ofori, Head of Marketing and Communication, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, commended UNFPA for a successful execution of the project. She added that the support her organization provided to UNFPA has evidently yielded great results. She encouraged beneficiaries of the project to apply their knowledge and skills acquired in order to improve their standard of living.
There were solidarity messages from UNAIDS, UNICEF, UN Habitat, WHO and the National Health Insurance Authority who attested to the great impact of the project in lessening the vulnerabilities of Kayayei. Ms. Claudia Lumor, UNFPA Ghana Honorary Ambassador was full of praise to the Young people and facilitators who dedicated their evenings and Sundays to ensure that KASPRO succeeds and leave lasting impacts not only in the lives of the Kayayei and their families.
Dr Agnes Ntibaryunwa, UNFPA Deputy Country Representative presented awards to deserving Kayayei. She urged them to keep to the values they have been taught and keep all the reproductive health information they have received ear to their hearts because it will help avoid early and unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
The Expo also saw the Kayayei display products such as beaded necklaces, yogurts, pastries, hand washing soaps, disinfectants among others as evidence of skills they acquired from the project.
Since June 2020, UNFPA Ghana has been implementing KASPRO. The project has provided a cohort of 500 Kayayei from the Tema Station in Accra with food items, dignity kits, SRHR education and vocational training in shea butter making, beading, yoghurt making, baking, soap making among other vocational skills. All 500 beneficiaries have also been enrolled on the National Health Insurance Scheme to protect their health and wellbeing.
