Ghana Youth

Thirteen (13) representatives from Young & Wise members and the Youth Action Movement in Accra and service personnel participated in the walk, which started from the center of Accra, Nkrumah Circle to the Ghana AIDS Commission, a distance of about 16 kms.
The walk started around 9:30am with a brass band and police escort.

After the two and a half hours walk on reaching the Ghana AIDS Commission, the leader of the People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) group presented a petition to the presidential representative to the Commission, Professor Sai.

The content of the petition centered on the following issues.

• The rate at which stigmatization is rising, is “killing them softly”.
  
• Landlords of some of the infected people are using various means to make life unbearable for them.
  
• Employers and subordinates discriminate against them at their work places. Whiles their subordinates avoid and shun them, their employers find and use various means to dismiss them. Some PLWHAs have been wrongfully dismissed from their work places.
  
• They requested the Commission to put more effort in their quest to help them, by considering putting them on the NHIS to enable them receive medical care others receive since they have been left out of it.
  
• Try and set up funds, which will finance the delivering of ARV drugs to them since at the moment they only receive the drugs from donors. This situation is like sitting on a time bomb which can explode at anytime, that is, when donors withdraw their support.
  
• They are also asking for more NGOs involvement in the HIV/AIDS programme.
  
• Reduce the prices of the ARV drugs, since not all of them can afford it.
  
  In response to the petition, Professor Sia made the following points:
  
  
• The Commission has already started working hard to make life bearable for PLWHAs of which he is personally involved.
• He will personally see to it that the Ministry of Health does more to meet most of the requests of the petition, if not all.
  He also entreated them to be circumspect with the things they ask for since if some are granted them, such things might hinder some of the privileges they are enjoying now

Report compiled by:

Benjamin Lamptey ( MEDIA)
John Paul M. Avor (NSP)
Mac darlyn Slippe (MEDIA)

"I wish boys would treat me as me!! I wish I could find someone who really cared about me, and not just about the way I look, especially because I have rather large breasts. More often than not, their only desire is to look and have a feel of them. Sometimes, I feel like asking whether they are kids who want to play with balloons. My!! I'm more than that.

I wish boys would try to talk more. Often they just don't say anything , and that can be embarassing. All they think you should do is KISS and all that, but I want to have proper conversation; the more we talk, the better we get to know each other.

Most guys who ask me out are interested in just 'one thing', even those who call themselves Christians. I get really fed up being pushed to have SEX all the time, I wish that they could understand that.

I want to have a good relationship, doing things that will not get us too physically involved or intimate. But they only want to do 'one' thing. I wish boys were a bit more caring. Most of them say they're in "LOVE", but do not really mean it. I don't even think they understand what it means to be in love. I've been let down so many times. I'm getting really fed up with it. So I'm very careful who I choose to go out with. I make my stand very clear. I'm more interested in friendship right now.

Computer/Internet services are a major component of the Young and Wise Center. Its objective is to provide lessons in basic software applications at subsidized rates. Some of the applications are MS WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT, CORELDRAW etc. Also available are internet services, also at subsidized rates.
At the heart of all these services is a passion to address the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) concerns of young people. To this end, discussions in various SRH issues are held bi-weekly in the cafe. This affords users the opportunity to ask pertinent questions regarding their Sexuality.

The cafe opens from Mondays to Fridays, 8am - 5pm each day. Just rush in to grab a registration form to start lessons in computer skills, all at rock bottom fees.

You are more than Welcome!!!

The Centre is the core of a youth initiative project known as Young & Wise. This youth initiative project is one of its kind in that it is designed by young people, implemented by young people and constantly evaluated by young people. A group of young people known as Youth Advisory Board (YAB) constantly meets to inject more innovations into the project design.
Young & wise was born by Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) as part of its decision to shift focus from family planning to youth focused gender sensitive SRH services and programmes. Drawing from over three decades of experience with young people, PPAG saw the need to bridge the gap between knowledge levels and the use of services by young people. It was deemed pertinent to assist the youth design and implement.



In line with International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Vision 2000 Strategic Plan (1999), Young & Wise aims at achieving the following objectives and outcomes by providing quality SRH services to young adults. It also empowers young people with strategies and information on how to abstain and maintain quality SRH life styles. Activities at the Young & Wise Centre, among other things, aims at achieving the following outcomes through the underlisted strategies:
1. To Increase Knowledge Of Young Adults On SRH Issues Through:
· An Audio/ Reference Library
· A Computer Centre And Internet Cyber Café
· Be Wise Multimedia Campaign
2. To Increase Access Of Young People To Quality SRH Services Through:
· An SRH clinic located in a youth friendly environment
· Specialized counselling for young adults on the “Be
3. To Increase Participation Of Young Adults In The Planning, Implementation And Evaluation Of SRH Programs Through:
· The participation of Peer Educators and other youth in decisions concerning all aspects of the project.
· The establishment of a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to advise on all components of the “Be Wise” campaign.
· The involvement of youth staff in steering the activities of the
4. Increase Demand For And Use Of SRH Services By:
· A “Be Wise “ multi-media campaign which creates demand for the use of SRH services by: Linking youth with the PPAG Youth Centres.
· Providing educational and entertaining forums for the exploration of teen health issues.
· De-mystifying and dispelling myths about sexual and reproductive health issues.
· Using a multi-media approach to create safe-sex knowledge and the transformation of this
5. The Young & Wise Youth Centre will provide:
· A stimulating and youth-focused environment to ensure an ongoing youth involvement.
· Education and outreach to youth through the increased presence of trained Peer.


The Youth Staff, Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and Youth Committees in designing and planning activities, have a lot in store for young people in the form of education and recreation. Why not join and experience the difference in having access to all.
Besides the above-mentioned units, we have a Main hall full of fun and games.
· Watch DVD movies on a 34-inch colour TV!
· Listen to all the hippest HIP LIFE Artistes, R&B, and JAZZ etc. while you play GAMES or have a SNACK!!
· Join in our informative discussions in SRH, CAREER TALKS and many more.

COMMUNITY SERVICES provided in our communities:
Are you a YOUNG WOMAN and want to share experiences in an all “SISTAS” environment? Then be part of the all women activities i.e. EXCURSIONS, INFORMATION SHARING, SKILL DEVELOPMENT etc., etc!!! Do you love to WRITE, ACT, DANCE, SING etc. etc.? How about developing and sharing your TALENTS and SKILLS by joining in the campaign (TV, ELECTRONIC MEDIA, PRINT)?


Are you a young person between the ages of 10 and 24? Then you've found yourself in the right place at the right time doing the right thing! Join the fun, share ideas and experiences and get educated all at the same time. Involve yourself in the activities and programs of Young & Wise. They were CUT, DESIGNED and MADE by YOUNG PEOPLE for YOUNG PEOPLE. BE WISE and be part of the IMPLEMENTATION of these ideas NOW! Check on our notice boards,


Visit our location at Laterbiokoshie-Accra, off Blacksmith Junction Town Council Line, PPAG Head Office and talk to our YOUTH FRIENDLY RECEPTIONIST Or call us on (233) 21- 306104 / 310369 / 325455 for further information.

The Young & Wise Library has lots of books covering Mathematics for Senior and Junior Secondary Schools and also for Primary Schools. It also has books on Sexual and Reproductive Health(SRH), Science,Computers, Economics, Literature, Social Studies, Career Guidance, Inspiration, Atlases, and many others.

Everyone who comes to the library is required to read a book on SRH aside of all the many other books one could read. Furthermore, SRH discussions are held twice per week for users. These activities are aimed at strengthening knowledge in SRH issues, which is the primary purpose of the library.

There is a study room for research and personal studies, making the facility a conducive learning centre.

Working hours are from 8am - 5pm, Mondays to Fridays. You are always welcome!!!

ENJOY YOUR YOUTH, BE WISE.

There are people who care about the youth and are there to provide counselling on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) issues.

We are proud to announce the new blog of the PPAG Young and Wise Media Committee.

Here is the home page of Young and Wise so you can learn more about us.

Please keep an eye on this space for discussions about youth issues, sexual reproductive health, HIV/AIDS prevention and education, and upcoming events. Everyone is welcome.