Statistics gathered by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) indicate that teenage pregnancies increased in 2020.
Other reports of sexual and domestic abuse increased with people finding it difficult to express their views or find people to talk to especially during the lockdown period.
This, coupled with an already existing unmet need for SRHR information and services has become extremely important for organizations such as PPAG to explore innovative ways of ensuring continuous access to healthcare especially sexual and reproductive health services and information
In view of this, Yenkasa to wit let's talk was birthed.
Yenkasa is an online digital platform with trained professionals ready to handle issues on relationships, sexual health concerns and many more. It is an initiative that was set up with support from Global Affairs Canada.
The Executive Director of PPAG, Abena Adubea Amoah speaking at the launch of the digital platform said the centre will "provide friendly, quality and comprehensive services to our clients in the comfort of their homes and privacy on their sexual and reproductive health".
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hafiz Adam representing the sector Minister said the youths need the right information to be able to grow, focus and contribute their quota to society and to get an appropriate channel to communicate.
"Establishing the centre is therefore apt and very useful" he indicated.
He said the Ministry has plans to come out with a policy that will include the youth in empowering them to achieve their full potential: "We leave no one behind"
Ministry of Health
Dr Hafiz Adam who was representing the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu said the health needs, particularly the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescent and young people in Ghana are mounting up, requiring a well-coordinated effort from all partners, stakeholders and government agencies to ensure effective interlinkages in programming.
"The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service is leading this charge, ensuring all our partners understand and work within our policies, protocols and guideline for quality health service delivery, including adolescent sexual and reproductive health" he read.
He further expressed excitement to "throw my support behind the setting up of the Yenkasa contact centre"; a centre which will be linked to other existing contact centres in the country providing specialised services to "ensure young people are able to be served within a one-stop system".
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