Joyce Konadu Idun (left) in a pose with Emefa Adeti
Queen of Tertiary Africa 2019, Joyce Konadu Idun, has successfully launched her girl child education project at the N’ Joy Hotel in Sakumono near Tema in Accra.
Themed, “Sexual and reproductive health education of the girl child”, the well organized launch and fund raising dinner sought to throw more light on girl child sexuality education.
The dark-skinned beauty queen, in her address said, “Your presence tonight has re-echoed the faith that we still have as men and women who are willing to contribute to the growth and development of the young girl in Ghana.”
She said a research had proven that about 50% of adolescents became sexually active before enrolling in senior high school, adding “today about 30% of all births registered in Ghana are to adolescent mothers (15-19 years).”
According to her, the research further said out of the 7,293 pregnancies recorded in the 2018/19 academic year, 1,024 were adolescent victims in upper primary, 4,836 in the junior high school and 1,433 in senior high schools.
The beauty queen said, “In my role as an ambassador for the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents to promote girl child education, I intend to use this platform not to receive the so-called ‘celebrity’ appellation, but commence serious and passionate sexual and reproductive health sensitization, training and educational tour among adolescents in schools across four regions in Ghana (Greater Accra, Central, Eastern and Ashanti regions).”
She noted that she would embark on massive financial and human resources campaigns to encourage abstinence as a preventive measure as well as provide other key sexual and reproductive health needs for young girls.
Joyce Konadu Idun mentioned, “Even though preventive measures like the use of condoms and contraceptives have been largely promoted, we would strongly argue through this project that abstinence at younger ages sufficiently reduces the prevalence of negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes like unintended pregnancies and abortions.”
President of Ghana Outstanding Women Awards, Afua Asantewaa Aduonum and Emefa Adeti of Multi Media fame graced the event.
Arranged by Glamorous Events Consult, organizers of Queen of Tertiary Africa, the project launch was preceded by a health talk on the Coronavirus pandemic by Sebastian Eugene Arthur, Research Scientist, Cambridge University.
It was supported by Highlander Studioz, Safe Hands Academy, Glamorous Events Consult, Twumygraphy, O.K’s Kloset and Unique Fabrics.