Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) with funding from Marie Stopes International (MSI) Ghana, continues to strengthen advocacy for Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) in the Eastern Region through a series of high-level stakeholder engagements. A recent courtesy call on the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Awatey, and a strategic dialogue with media representatives have yielded promising outcomes that signal a renewed commitment to advancing SRHR across communities.
Regional Minister Receives Outcomes of SRHR Stakeholder Workshop
During the visit to the Regional Minister, PNAfrica’s delegation, led by the Programmes Manager, Mr. Gilbert Borketey Boyefio, presented the key findings and recommendations from its recently held SRHR stakeholder workshop in the region. The discussion centered on the need for stronger government collaboration, targeted funding, and inclusive education to tackle pressing SRHR challenges, especially among young people.
Hon. Rita Akosua Awatey welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed her support for the SRHR cause. She emphasized the importance of educating both girls and boys on reproductive health, stating,
“When boys understand what girls go through—especially during their menstrual cycles—they become more supportive. This is how we build inclusive and stigma-free communities.”
On financial sustainability, Hon. Awatey acknowledged the proposal to allocate one percent of the Internally Generated Funds (IGF) of the region to support SRHR programming within the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). However, she noted that such a decision requires the consensus of all 33 District Chief Executives (DCEs) in the region, who are all yet to be appointed. She assured PNAfrica that once the Regional Coordinating Council is fully constituted, she would champion the conversation to prioritize SRHR in local development planning.
Notably, officials from some District Assemblies who joined the courtesy call also expressed their commitment to advancing the SRHR agenda. They pledged to support media campaigns in their respective districts and welcomed the idea of building synergies with the media to foster education and awareness at the community level.
Media Commit to Championing SRHR Issues
Complementing the government engagement, PNAfrica also held a strategic meeting with journalists and media stakeholders in Koforidua. The meeting focused on the media’s critical role in promoting SRHR awareness and advocacy.
In a show of commitment, the media representatives pledged to use their platforms to champion SRHR issues. They agreed to develop a monthly programming schedule dedicated to SRHR themes and called on PNAfrica to provide an open letter to their media managers to formally endorse their involvement. Additionally, they requested capacity-building workshops to strengthen their understanding and reporting on SRHR topics.
Dr. Godfred Bonnah Nkansah, the SRHR Consultant of the project, lauded the media’s initiative, expressing hope that this organized approach would facilitate donor interest and funding opportunities to scale up awareness efforts. The meeting also emphasized the need toappoint a media leadership team to coordinate activities and serve as a liaison between the media, civil society, and local government.
Looking Ahead
These engagements represent a critical turning point in the regional SRHR movement. With the government’s openness to dialogue, support from local assembly officials, and the media’s proactive stance, PNAfrica is optimistic about creating lasting impact through inclusive partnerships, strategic advocacy, and sustained resource mobilization.
“We believe that working together with local authorities, the media, and the communities themselves, we can empower young people and promote health, dignity, and equity across the region,” said Mr. Gilbert Borketey Boyefio, PNAfrica’s Programmes Manager.
By Florence D.Y. Gbolu
