Sunyani: Mr Charles Oduro Owurani, a Project Assistant at the Sunyani office of the Young and Wise Centre of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), announced that the Association has significantly expanded its reproductive health services by distributing 15,522,598 contraceptives across the nation in 2024.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Owurani expressed concern about the findings from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), which revealed that over one in four women in the country still have an unmet need for modern contraceptives. He highlighted that this unmet need is most prevalent among adolescents, high-parity women, and underserved communities.

Mr. Owurani emphasized the importance of dismantling myths, stigma, and systemic barriers that hinder individuals, particularly young people and vulnerable women, from accessing necessary reproductive health care. He stated that every condom, pill, implant, and counseling session represents an empowered life, a protected future, and a strengthened community.

He called for decisive action to address the persistent gaps in access, affordability, and public understanding of modern contraceptives. In line with the 2025 World Contraceptive Day, PPAG engaged its service enablers, members, and volunteers to challenge harmful norms and promote open dialogue. These initiatives aimed to shift perceptions, correct misinformation, and guide individuals, especially the youth and vulnerable women, through the stages of awareness, decision-making, and action.

Mr. Owurani urged stakeholders to invest in inclusive and youth-friendly services to cultivate a supportive environment, ensuring that everyone can make informed decisions regarding their reproductive choices.