The emergence of COVID-19 has undoubtedly had a toll in realizing the Sustainable Development Goal 3- Good Health and Well-Being –especially on the delivery of reproductive health services such as maternal health, family planning, obstetric fistula, menstrual health, HIV and AIDS among others. As Ghana builds back better, UNFPA Ghana in collaboration with partners have supported the health sector to safeguard the rights of women and girls.
As part of a 2-day working visit to Ghana, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General (DSG), Ms. Amina J. Mohammed together with Ms. Hannah Tetteh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union ; Mr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel; UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani; Mr. Niyi Ojuolape, UNFPA Ghana Country Representative and other UN Country Representatives toured UNFPA-supported projects as well as projects where two or more UN agencies work together with a combine effort.
Adabraka Polyclinic
At the Adabraka Polyclinc in Accra, the DSG interacted with management of the health facility to appreciate the resilience of frontline health workers during the COVID-19 and their selfless work in delivering reproductive health services such as antenatal care and uptake of family planning. The tour afforded the DSG an opportunity to interact with expectant mothers as well as lactating mothers on maternal health services they receive at the health facility.
Jamestown Café
At the Jamestown Café, the DSG and her entourage visited a UNFPA and UNAIDS-led intervention in partnership with Hope for Future Generations(HFFG) on providing support for young people living with HIV and AIDS as well as disabilities. The DSG interacted with members of the Young Health Advocates Ghana (YHAG) and Youths of the Ghana Dreams Disability Development Foundation who were engaged in a World AIDS Day Café on the theme: “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility”.
Engaging with members of YHAG, the DSG encouraged them to strive to reach their full potential. She added that, “persons living with disabilities have very special abilities”. Priscilla Addo, President of YHAG and a19-year-old beneficiary, expressed, “As beneficiaries, we have received a lot of assistance from UNFPA, UNAIDS and HFFG. We are extremely grateful to them for creating this safe space for us to share our experiences and encourage each other. YHAG has totally changed my life”.
UNCT Meeting
During a UN Country Team meeting, Mr. Niyi Ojuolape appreciated the leadership of the UN on their work on the Multi Party Trust Fund which has helped address respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with a gender lens. Touching on meaningful youth participation, Mr. Ojuolape underscored the need to engage young people stating that, “we have a lot of benefits when we include young people in our activities “.
The DSG in response stressed the importance of paying particular attention to issues of gender, young people and persons with disabilities. “It’s important to have young people upfront”, she added.
