ONE DAY ADVOCACY TRAINING FOR KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Improved Maternal and child health is very key to every nation’s development. Child and maternal mortality rates for example are basic indicators of a country’s socio-economic level and quality of life and as Ghana strives to attain the middle income status, the need to address both maternal and child health issues cannot be over-emphasized.

Again, Ghana is a signatory to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and if we are to attain MDGs 4&5, we need to implement projects and advocate for the allocation of adequate resources to addressing maternal and child mortality and morbidity in Ghana.

In line with this, Hope for Future Generations with funding from SIMAVI of the Netherlands organized a one-day advocacy training workshop for key stakeholders made up CSOs, Ghana Health Service, Faith Based Organizations, community traditional leaders, queen mothers, the media, women groups and young people in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam district of the Central Region.

The purpose of the training workshop was to educate the people on the current state of maternal and child health in the country, especially in the Region.

After the training advocacy groups will be formed to carry out advocacy activities for adequate resources to address maternal and child mortality in Ghana.

It is unacceptable for mothers and children to die in the 21st century from preventable conditions with adequate knowledge and the know-how to deal with those conditions.

• Participants during the workshop agreed that;
• Maternal and child health remain a major challenge.
• Maternal and child mortality figures remain unacceptably high
• Healthcare services still not reaching the poor and vulnerable populations (Close to 90% of qualified health service personnel concentrated in urban areas of the south)
• The lives of mothers and children are very important to all.
• Women should not die during pregnancy, labour and delivery.
• Addressing maternal and under five mortality must be a priority the nation.
• Women and girls must be empowered to make healthy decisions.

After these discussions, participants’ were then educated on what advocacy is, why it is important, how it influences policy decisions and steps in the advocacy process. The training was very successful.

At the end, the participants were equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to embark on advocacy campaigns. An advocacy group made up traditional leaders, CSOs, women groups and youth was formed to lead the advocacy campaign.

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