Global Female Condom Day observed in Accra

The youth have been advised to desist from premarital sex in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STIs).

Speaking at a durbar at Mantse Agbonaa in Accra to mark the Global Female Condom Day celebration on the theme, “Dance4Demand," the President of the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA)-Ghana, Ms Gloria Addae-Tutu, said the event was aimed at creating awareness of the need to patronise the new Female Condom (FC2) among the youth.

She said the new female condom, was user friendly, very smooth,  well lubricated,  very thin and strong, adding that its use would go a long way to reduce unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortion.

Advice to the youth

The Zonal Manager of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), Nana Ama Oforiwaa Sam, advised the youth to try their best to abstain from sex and rather concentrate on their education, entrepreneurial training and occupational activities, and those who had already seen signs of STI infections to seek early medical attention so that they could be managed.

She advised all to be cautious of quack doctors, who went round claiming they could treat STIs, adding that treatment of STIs was catered for under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), hence the need for patients to make use of the scheme.

There were performances by the Young & Wise group of the PPAG, including an Azonto competition, drama and  films on STIs, during the celebration.

There was also education and demonstrations on how to use the female condom, as well as the presentation of free condoms and branded T-shirts to participants.