Damongo – Jira Yagbonwura BiiKunuto Jewu Soale I, the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom says it is the duty of each stakeholder within and outside the Gonja Kingdom to assist in promoting good healthy life habits amongst young people, especially girls.
Jira Yagbonwura BiiKunuto added that society has a great role to play to protect the future of the young girls and to keep their hygiene status balanced. This will prepare them with good attitudes to assume the role of responsible adulthood.
Jira Yagbonwura BiiKunuto made the call whilst presenting some boxes of sanitary products to Ghana Education Service at the Jakpa Palace, Damongo on Tuesday 28th May, 2024.
The Ghana Education Service and partners celebrated the world menstrual hygiene day with a float on the principal streets of Damongo and later held a program for the JHS students at the Damongo community center, as part of activities to sensitize the young school children about the significance of menstruation, hygiene and related activities.
Jira Yagbonwura BiiKunuto appealed to the citizenry to provide a guide to the young girls to prepare them against teenage pregnancy and other associated issues that are likely to halt the progress of young people around the country.
“I appeal to you to guide the young girls against teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, theft, and any other thing that will halt their progress in life.”
Jira Yagbonwura further called on the young people to study, work hard and respect the moral values being instilled in them by their leaders.
“To the young people around Gonjaland and the country, I urge you to concentrate on your learning modules, work hard and pay valuable respect to your teachers, parents, and the society in general to help you become responsible adults in future”.
Chief Akonatopewura Musah Muhaque, the Yagbonwura Secretary, presented the sanitary products on his behalf to the GES.
Madam Jane Frances Bomansaan, the municipal Girl Child Coordinator received the Sanitary products on behalf of the West Gonja municipal GES directorate at the Palace.
She expressed gratitude to the Overlord of Gonja Kingdom for the wisdom to support the young girls and assured that the sanitary pads will be shared fairly to the girls.
Madam Jane Frances also appealed to the girls to use the sanitary products as expected and always come to school with pieces of the product in their bags when their menstrual days are getting closer. This will prevent the girls from any menstrual related mishaps and keep them healthy.
The World Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated on 28 May each year.
The 2024 event was celebrated under the theme: #PeriodFriendlyWorld.
The day is dedicated to encourage women to maintain hygiene during their menstrual cycle to stay healthy. It is recognized to raise awareness about the importance of good menstrual hygiene and to break down the existing social taboos associated with menstruation. 28 May was chosen as the Menstrual Hygiene Day because it represents the average length of a menstrual cycle.
The lack of access to proper menstrual hygiene facilities like sanitary products and cultural taboos related to menstruation contribute to poor menstrual health and hygiene. World Menstrual Hygiene Day aims to address these issues by promoting better education and awareness about menstruation. This will help in reducing the negative impact of poor menstrual health and hygiene on women’s education, health, and overall quality of life.
The Menstrual Hygiene Day serves as an advocacy platform which brings together the voices and actions of Government, Agencies, Private sector Organizations, Media and the individuals to promote healthy menstrual hygiene management among women and girls locally and internationally.
Abdulai Zulkaninu/ padfm.com.gh
