Between 16 and 24 September, the GAP Health Aid Foundation, a Ghanaian non‑profit focused on HIV prevention, organised a five‑day outreach in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region. The programme visited Teacher Mante Presbyterian Basic School, Junior High School, Anum‑Apapam Senior High School, Coaltar Presbyterian Senior High School and community markets at Dokrokyiwa, Anum‑Apapam and Amanase.
Partnered with Mattanah International Ministries, NGA Divinity and Homecare Services, the Ghana AIDS Commission, the Ayensuano District Health Directorate and the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, the initiative aimed to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse while promoting responsible behaviour among young people.
Free HIV testing services were offered and condoms and self‑test kits were distributed to encourage people to know their status and adopt preventive measures. The event also included educational talks on sexual and reproductive health.
Mrs Georgina Akua Padi, founder and team lead of GAP Health Aid Foundation, urged parents—especially mothers—to take an active role in raising and protecting their children, stressing that discipline and values are essential for responsible adulthood. She called for coordinated action among health institutions, traditional authorities, civil society and community stakeholders to safeguard youth.
Dramani Yakubu, Eastern Regional Technical Coordinator of the Ghana AIDS Commission, said the collaboration was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community‑based HIV prevention and to bring testing and education closer to vulnerable groups such as traders, market women and commercial drivers. He praised the foundation and the district assembly for their commitment and urged wider community support.
Nana Adu Gyasi, Odikro of the Anum‑Apapam Traditional Area, highlighted social challenges facing young people and urged parents to supervise children, ensuring they return home by 9 p.m. He pledged cooperation with chiefs, opinion leaders and the police to address late‑night activities.
As a tangible benefit, the foundation and partners donated 110 school bags and 350 exercise books to the Presbyterian Basic School and Junior High School and to the Seek Life Charity Education Foundation, supporting students’ learning needs.
Looking ahead, the partners plan to sustain the outreach and hold future durbars to discuss social challenges and promote public education.
