It said the decision was in line with the organisation’s policy to promote the physical and mental health of families, especially the youth, through positive sexual behaviour.

The National President of PPAG, Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, made this known in an interview with the media after paying a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi as Asanteman mourned and prepared for the burial of the Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Serwaa Kobi Ampem II.

As custom demands, she led a delegation to present two cartons of Schnapps, four bottles of whisky and an undisclosed amount to support the burial arrangements for the Asantehemaa.

Prof. Akosua Dickson noted that though the Asantehene was mourning his mother and Asantehemaa, he remained committed to youth development as the Patron of PPAG.

She thanked the Asantehene for his immense contribution and goodwill for the organisation and said PPAG was renewing its partnership with Manhyia Palace to roll out a number of plans for youth development.

She observed that teenage pregnancy was ‘sprinting’ and said efforts must be put in place to check it, adding that the PPAG’s training programmes on pastries, tie-dye, among other skills, would be held in course of the year.

Knowledge on sexual reproductive health

She said boys and girls needed to broaden their horizons on their sexual and reproductive health and rights so as to remain health conscious all the time.

She added that the PPAG was putting measures in place to ensure that the youth would have access to information and services on reproductive health.

“We at PPAG want to make these services and information friendly and accessible to as many youth as possible in the country,” she emphasised.

Advocacy in preventing STDs

The PPAG’s National President said in line with its advocacy for the less privileged, the organisation was collaborating with the 43 prisons in the country to prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).