Project for Improving Reproductive Health in Kwahu East District “Health for Every Woman Towards a Healthy Community”

The Kwahu East District was among the newly established districts in 2008. It had a population of 79200, and had no hospital but had a limited number of health centres and Community Health Planning and Service (CHPS) compounds along the Afram River. Poor road network, limited public transport and no bridge over the River made it extremely difficult for people to access health care including reproductive health services inland and across the river.

It was against this backdrop that, The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP), Kwahu East District Assembly, Ghana Health Service, Kotoso Traditional Council, with a support from the Government of Japan started a project dubbed “Project for Improving Reproductive Health in Kwahu East District” in November 2011. The project was aimed to improve maternal health, increase family planning services uptake and reduce teenage pregnancy, targeting women in reproductive age (15-49) and their partners.

Under the Project, a reproductive health centre and four CHPS Compounds were built and equipped at Kotoso, Sempoa, Hyewohoden, Aguazekrom and Bonkrase respectively to address the reproductive health needs of the people. In addition to the buildings, a vehicle (ambulance) and a motor boat were provided to facilitate the movement of service providers for outreach services and to strengthen in- and out-bound referrals. The project trained over 80 community health volunteers (Community Based Service Agents) to promote healthcare seeking behaviours among the residents. Capacity building for health personnel was also supported by the project for provision of better quality services.

The first phase of the project ended successfully in December 2014 with significant improvements in maternal health and family planning.

To sustain the gains made and to address the challenges that still existed, the partners agreed to implement the second phase of the project. In 2015, JKA, a Japanese foundation, supported two refresher training courses of community health volunteers so as to strengthen their knowledge on maternal, neonatal and child health and their effective communication skills.  Health education sessions through an FM radio station and community information centres have also been continued with their support.

JKA is a Japanese foundation that promotes bicycle and motorbike race. It also supports the donation of reconditioned bicycles to many countries around the world through JOICFP.