This year, UNFPA Ghana marked World Contraception Day with a float through the principal streets of Accra amidst the distribution of leaflets with information on family planning. This included the sharing of condoms and the provision of free HIV/STIs testing. The float began from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, through the Ring Road, the Oxford Street in Osu and ended at the La General hospital where a team of service providers offered free family planning information and services.

Young people cladded in orange T-shirts and carrying placards distributed condoms and flyers to some road users, hawkers, and passers-by.   Some of the placards read; “Family Planning: your future your, choice”, “Condoms provide dual protection against STIs, HIV and pregnancy” and “Seek knowledge on the various family planning methods from the clinic” among others. During the float staff of UNFPA and some volunteers took turns to educate the public about the benefits of family planning and the various methods available.

Earlier in the day, a media engagement and launch of World Contraception Day was held at the Press Centre in Accra. The event was chaired by the UNFPA Country Representative, Mr. Niyi Ojuolape, with attendance from by partners, including the Ghana Health Service, Maries Stopes Ghana and USAID Ghana, amongst others. He was impressed with the fact that Ghana had set aside a week specifically for family planning celebrations and commended partners for supporting the government in intensifying the issue of family planning in the country making reference to the need to push the mandate of the theme of the occasion;  “Family Planning; Know the Options, Make your choice”

In a keynote address, the Director of Family Health of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Kuma-Aboagye stated that, the theme, echoes one of the main pillars of family planning; informed choices. ‘Choices involve decision making which includes judging the merits of multiple options and selecting one of them.’ He added that family planning is a critical pillar and a key strategy for the transition from high fertility and high maternal and child mortality to a situation of low fertility and consequently, reduced maternal and child mortality.

Also at the media event was the Country Director of Marie Stopes Ghana, Mrs. Anne Coolen, who lamented a recent report in the media involving an adolescent girl who had to take weedicide to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy. She called for the need to better protect adolescents by providing them with the right information and products while recommending the integration of CSE in schools.

Mrs Joan Schubert of the USAID encouraged partners to allow young people, couples and individuals in various stages of their lives to know their options.

A presentation on the status of family planning, its achievements and challenges were highlighted as well as strategies to improve family planning uptake in the country.