Volta Region: The National Youth Authority (NYA) has launched a sensitization workshop aimed at transforming commercial motorcycle (Okada) riders into community health advocates. This initiative seeks to address the rising rates of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in parts of the Volta Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the workshop, themed ‘Okada Ride: Defending Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of the Youth,’ aspires to shift the perception of Okada riders from alleged contributors to societal issues to proactive community change-makers. This program is a segment of a larger strategy to engage the youth in advocating for sexual and reproductive health rights within their communities.
The NYA recognized the significant influence Okada riders have in these communities and aimed to equip them with essential knowledge and advocacy skills related to STI prevention, teenage pregnancy, and responsible reproductive choices. The inaugural training session successfully gathered the first 50 Okada riders from the districts of Adaklu, Akatsi North, and Central Tongu.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Yao Semorde, Volta Regional Director of the NYA, highlighted the necessity of the intervention, noting that Okada riders were frequently blamed for the increasing teenage pregnancy rates in the region. ‘These boys are always chasing after the young girls in the communities with juicy gifts, and at the end of the day, they impregnate them,’ he explained.
To tackle this issue, the NYA collaborated with the Municipal Health Directorates and received support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to educate the participants on sexual health risks and prevention strategies. The training sessions emphasized safe sexual practices, STI prevention, family planning options, and the broader importance of respecting and upholding the sexual and reproductive rights of young people, particularly teenage girls.
The NYA has consistently been involved in youth development initiatives in the region, focusing on youth empowerment, leadership skills, and social responsibility programs. Some participants expressed their gratitude for the initiative, acknowledging that it had not only increased their awareness of previously overlooked issues but also prepared them to act as ambassadors for change in their respective communities.
‘This has opened our eyes to things we took for granted. Now we know better and can advise our friends as well,’ stated one of the Okada riders, representing the group.