Report By:Ishmael Barfi
Accra, August 26, 2026 — The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has stressed the importance of equipping young people, particularly vulnerable girls and adolescent mothers, with accurate reproductive health information and the support needed to make informed decisions about their lives.
Dr David Wilfred Ochan, UNFPA Ghana Country Representative, said reproductive health education, HIV prevention and protection from sexual abuse should form an important part of efforts to empower young people and enable them to realise their potential.
He made the remarks at the 2026 Image of a Woman Conference in Accra, where stakeholders from different sectors gathered to discuss women’s leadership, empowerment, entrepreneurship, mentorship and social transformation.
The conference, organised by the Purim African Youth Development Platform (PAYDP) and Glorious Abundant Ministries International, was held under the theme, “Empowered to Influence, Equipped to Lead, Created to Impact.”
Dr Ochan commended the work of PAYDP Executive Director, Prophetess Aku Xornam Adzraku-Kevi, particularly initiatives supporting vulnerable young women and girls, including female head porters, popularly known as Kayayei, and adolescent mothers.
He noted PAYDP’s interventions had combined skills training with reproductive health education, HIV prevention, protection from sexual abuse and alternative livelihood opportunities.
Some beneficiaries, he said, had moved from carrying loads in markets to acquiring skills in tailoring, painting and other trades, while others had established enterprises and accessed markets beyond Ghana.
Dr Ochan cited the recent training of 25 young women in various trades, describing the initiative as “25 new possibilities” for the beneficiaries to earn decent incomes, create jobs and inspire others.
He, however, cautioned that skills training alone was not enough, highlighting the need for access to markets, financing, mentorship and sustainable economic opportunities.
He therefore called on government, civil society organisations, development partners, the private sector, traditional leaders and consumers to help create markets for products produced by young women.
Dr Ochan indicated that, UNFPA, in partnership with PAYDP and other stakeholders, had supported the establishment of enterprise development centres in Kumasi and other strategic locations to provide vulnerable young women, including Kayayei, with practical skills and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
He also disclosed that UNFPA was partnering with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Office of the Vice President to develop a national vulnerability framework to identify and address factors that pushed and pulled people into vulnerable forms of work. ([Ghana News Agency][2])
Reproductive health central to women’s empowerment
Prophetess Aku Xornam Adzraku-Kevi, Conference Convener and Executive Director of PAYDP, said the organisation’s work had deliberately combined women’s empowerment with reproductive health and protection from gender-based violence.
She explained that, PAYDP had worked over the years in reproductive health, livelihood empowerment, sexual and gender-based violence, and leadership capacity development for women and girls.
According to her, bringing together religious leaders, development partners, civil society organisations, government representatives and other stakeholders was intended to generate ideas that could strengthen programmes supporting women and girls.
She emphasized that, the conference provides an opportunity to reflect on existing interventions and identify ways of strengthening the capacity of women and girls to overcome social and economic barriers.
“The emphasis on reproductive health is particularly important for vulnerable adolescent girls and young women, who may face multiple challenges, including limited access to reliable health information, sexual and gender-based violence and economic vulnerability”, she acknowledged.
For such young people, access to accurate reproductive health information and appropriate services can form an important part of efforts to keep them in school, protect their health and enable them to pursue livelihoods and leadership opportunities.
Leadership beyond titles
Prophet Prince Manasseh Atsu, Founder and General Overseer of Watered Garden Church and Special Guest of Honour, said leadership should not be defined by position, titles or occupation of prestigious offices, but by the ability to influence others positively and take responsibility.
He acclaimed that, everyone possessed leadership potential and that effective leaders should be problem-solvers, results-oriented and visionary.
Ms Abigail Nti Tenewaah, Consultant at FORWARD UK, an African women-led women’s rights organisation, also challenged participants to view leadership as a daily practice rather than merely a position or title.
In a presentation titled “We Are All Leaders,” she said people demonstrated leadership through everyday choices, influence, responsibility and service to others.
She urged women and girls to see themselves as agents of change rather than mere beneficiaries of development interventions.
The 2026 Image of a Woman Conference brought together government officials, Members of Parliament, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, development partners, diplomats, faith leaders, students, media personalities and emerging women leaders.
The event also honoured veteran media personality Madam Rosemary Ardayfio for her contribution to journalism, media excellence and mentorship.
The conference, held on Saturday, August 22 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, was designed to promote leadership development, mentorship, entrepreneurship, networking and social transformation.
The discussions underscored the need for empowerment programmes targeting young women to go beyond skills development and address the health, safety, economic and social factors that influence their ability to make informed choices and build sustainable futures.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com