The National Population Council (NPC), in partnership with Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), has launched the “Population and Development Media Awards” in Accra.
The purpose of the event is to promote media reportage and discourse on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), leading to increased government allocations for SRHR, and positive public responses to sexual and reproductive health services, especially family planning.
The maiden edition of the Population and Development Awards ceremony will be held in July 2019.
The NPC indicated that factors accounting for the increase in adolescent pregnancies include inadequate access to information on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and social stigmatization against persons, particularly adolescents, who access Sexual Reproductive Health services such as family planning, hence, the need to for the awards.
Speaking at the launch, the Executive Director of National Population Council, Dr. Leticia A. Appiah, noted that “… the full value of investing in sexual and reproductive health services has really been underestimated. The direct medical benefits of preventing unintended pregnancies, improving maternal and child health, improvement in education outcomes with economic and social benefits for women, families, communities and nations.”
She added that there is a need to intentionally prioritize funding for SRHR and called on all relevant partners, including the media, to harness the power of the people, science education and advocacy for the good of the country.
Dr. Lecticia Appiah reiterated that the Council and its partners will continue to engage the media on a regular basis to help in the dissemination of information on Population and Development from an informed position.
Who can apply and on which areas?
The National Population Council and PPAG invite journalists to produce well-researched reports on any of the thematic areas below;
- Abortion and its complications to support family planning agenda.
- Population and human capital development.
- Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights
- Comprehensive Sexuality Education (in and out of school).
- Financing of Family Planning
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By: Bervelyn Longdon | citinewsroom.com | Ghana