Nat’l Adolescent Health Camp 2019 opens in Accra

The National Adolescent Health Ambassadors Camp 2019 has opened in Accra with a call on the ambassadors to participate fully and initiate intellectually stimulating discourse which would leave a lasting impression on adolescent health. This is the third edition of the Camp Over 600 participants from all the regions are taking part in the three-day event The programme among other things aims to afford the ambassadors the opportunity to pitch and compete for grants for their small-scale health promotion projects. The ambassadors would discuss health issues and address myths and misconceptions regarding adolescent health and most importantly look into the role the health ambassadors play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Speaking on behalf of the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, the Director of Family Health Division of the Service, Dr. Patrick Aboagye, indicated that healthy and empowered adolescents are key assets and resources with great potentials to make impact to their families and the nation as a whole. Dr. Aboagye added that this year’s camp will contribute to the holistic development of the contemporary adolescent and participants will consequently initiate engagement which will lead to causing positive health changes wherever they find themselves as health ambassadors. He expressed his agency’s support “to open its doors and actively engage all stakeholders to ensure all adolescents get the needed support”. Speaking to the theme: ‘Equipping Health Ambassadors for Sustainable Development’, Country Representative of the UNFPA Niyi Ojuolape urged health ambassadors to the camp seriously to impact their peers in the various schools especially on the SDGs. Executive Director of Plant Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) Abena Adubea Amoah urged participants to actively engage in all activities of the programme. “Be active participants and not passive participants, look for information and build a strong network,” she advised. The National Health Ambassadors Camp is a collaboration between the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service and partners including UNICEF, DKT, PPAG, WHO and Marie Stopes International Ghana. By Esi Benewaa Otoo|3news.com|Ghana]]>