The Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has rolled out a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop aimed at equipping male youth apprentices with knowledge on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR).
The workshop, held on Thursday, November 14, 2025, in Koforidua, brought together heads of departments, programme coordinators, facilitators and young male apprentices to build capacity toward reducing sexual violence and promoting healthy reproductive lifestyles among the youth.
Addressing participants, the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, expressed excitement about the initiative and commended UNFPA for selecting the region as a beneficiary of the UNFPA–Government of Ghana 8th Country Programme (2023–2027).
She noted that the programme, supported by the Canadian Government, seeks to improve adolescent reproductive health, gender equality, maternal care and family planning outcomes across the region.
According to her, the initiative aligns with UNFPA’s transformational goals of achieving zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Hon. Adjei Awatey stated that the training forms part of the Adolescent Girls Programme (AGP) interventions, which aim to empower young people—particularly girls—by addressing social, health and educational challenges hindering their development. However, she emphasized the importance of involving boys and young male apprentices as advocates for gender equality and positive behaviour change.
“This event is not just a programme; it is a platform for empowerment, protection and leadership,” she noted. “Understanding your sexual and reproductive health and rights is crucial to living healthy, confident and responsible lives.”
She encouraged participants to engage actively in the training, stressing that knowledge about the body, consent, gender equality, family planning and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is vital in combating misinformation, peer pressure and the culture of silence surrounding sexual health issues.
As a Trainer-of-Trainer’s initiative, the workshop aims to prepare participants to transfer the knowledge gained to their peers within their communities and apprenticeship spaces.
The Regional Minister expressed appreciation to the project team, facilitators and the young participants, urging them to use the training as a foundation for positive change in society.
The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to promote youth development, reduce teenage pregnancies, and eliminate gender-based violence across the Eastern Region.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Nhyiraba Solomon Nartey
