Tarkwa: Madam Ayishetu Mohammed, Project Coordinator for Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF), has commended peer educators from the Tarkwa and Damang Mines host communities for their contributions to adolescent health education. Since 2019, the Foundation has implemented a training program for pupils from these communities to serve as peer educators, focusing on promoting education on reproductive health.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Mohammed emphasized the importance of Menstrual Hygiene Day during a celebration held at Amoanda Municipal Assembly (MA) Basic School in Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality. This year’s theme, ‘Together for a Period Friendly World,’ underscores the need for inclusive and informed menstrual health practices. The event is part of the schools’ curriculum within the operational area and is observed every term.
This year’s initiative included visits to fifteen schools from Tarkwa and Damang Mines, such as Huniso Pepesa MA Basic School, Abekoase Tebe MA Basic School, and others. The visits aimed to support the peer educators as they imparted knowledge on menstrual hygiene, raising awareness, and promoting best practices among their peers, Madam Mohammed noted.
She remarked on the positive impact of the program, stating, “The peer educators are doing a great job. The program has made a significant impact. The exciting part is that initially boys used to tease and laugh at girls when they menstruate, but that has changed of late.”
Miss Henrietta Obeng Ayepah, Officer in charge of the Guidance and Counseling unit at the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Education Office, highlighted the ongoing challenges related to menstrual misconceptions, which often lead to stigma and misinformation. She noted that the global celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day is crucial in addressing these issues and fostering accurate understanding.
Mr. Ayepah acknowledged the vital role of the GFGF in facilitating educational outreach to schools, which aims to inform young girls about menstrual hygiene, self-care, and healthy behavior. He mentioned that consistent efforts are made annually to educate girls through direct visits or school-based facilitators like classroom teachers to reinforce good menstrual hygiene practices.
Miss Samantha Okpattah, a teacher at Amoanda MA Basic School, encouraged girls to view menstruation as a normal biological process. She advised them to maintain good hygiene by changing sanitary pads regularly, eating a balanced diet, and staying hydrated, while also suggesting they ask their parents for blood tonic to help replenish lost iron.