Accra, Ghana – March 7, 2025

In preparation for the Regional Consultation Workshop on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Koforidua, staff of the Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) underwent a comprehensive training session on SRHR advocacy. The session, held at PNAfrica’s office in Accra, was facilitated by Dr. Godfred Bonnah Nkansah, a Population Policy Analyst and Political Demographer, and aimed at equipping staff with critical insights into Ghana’s SRHR landscape and policy gaps.

The training served as a foundational step for the MSI SRHR Project, which will be implemented in selected regions with a focus on advocacy strategies and public engagement.

Urgent Need for Policy Reforms

Dr. Bonnah Nkansah underscored the pressing need for policy reforms to address Ghana’s growing population challenges, linking them to poverty, child marriage, teenage pregnancies, and inadequate access to family planning services.

He also highlighted inconsistencies in Ghana’s legal framework, particularly the contradiction between:
🔹 The Criminal Offences Act, which sets the age of sexual consent at 16
🔹 The Children’s Act, which sets the legal marriage age at 18

The expert called for legislative action to harmonize these laws and expand abortion rights under PNDC Law 102, granting women greater autonomy over their reproductive health.

Practical Demonstrations & Advocacy Discussions

As part of the training, Miss Henrietta from MSI conducted a demonstration on birth control methods, educating staff on various contraceptive options and their accessibility. The session sparked interactive discussions on:
✔️ Taxation on menstrual hygiene products
✔️ Strengthening gender-based violence laws
✔️ Implementing culturally sensitive, age-appropriate sexuality education

The training concluded with a call for follow-up sessions to enhance parliamentary advocacy and push for legislative reforms that support Ghana’s reproductive health policies.

This initiative aligns with PNAfrica’s commitment to promoting open governance, gender inclusion, and rights-based policy advocacy within parliamentary systems across Africa.

Compiled by Florence Dzigbordi Y. Gbolu