Health professionals across the North East region have completed an intensive four-day capacity-building workshop aimed at transforming how adolescent healthcare is delivered.
Supported by UNFPA Ghana, the initiative equipped frontline workers with the essential skills to provide gender-responsive, inclusive and supportive care for young people.
Regional Health Directorate and the North East Regional Coordinating Council convened 48 nurses, midwives and public health experts in Nalerigu.
The gathering was designed to address the multifaceted challenges adolescents face today, including reproductive health issues, mental health struggles and the pervasive risks of gender-based violence.
The curriculum moved beyond theoretical frameworks, emphasizing the practical application of patient-centered care.
Through interactive role-playing and collaborative sessions participants refined their communication techniques to ensure that health facilities become safe and non-judgmental spaces for young patients.
A significant portion of the training focused on the concept of survivor-centered care, ensuring that health workers are not only equipped to identify signs of abuse but are also prepared to navigate complex referral pathways effectively.
A major milestone of the workshop was the development of district-specific action plans. These strategic blueprints are intended to bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and community-level implementation.
By fostering a more nuanced understanding of gender equity, the program encourages health providers to dismantle systemic barriers that often discourage adolescents from seeking medical assistance.
According to the Deputy Director of Public Health in the North East region, Dr. Rauf Sulemana, the success of the workshop underscores the necessity of continuous professional development in the healthcare sector.
As the Region moves forward, the focus will shift toward the sustained implementation of these action plans, supported by ongoing mentorship and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.
This initiative represents a critical step in ensuring that the next generation of adolescents in the North East Region receives the high-quality, dignified and responsive care they deserve.
By Solomon Kwame Kanaluwe
