NCCE Engages Keta Football Team on Gender Equality and Adolescent Health

The Keta Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has engaged members of the Keta Amalgamated Football Team in an educational session aimed at promoting gender equality, adolescent health, and the prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The engagement, held on June 14, 2026, focused on issues including Gender-Based Violence, adolescent pregnancy, harmful social norms, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). The program forms part of the project titled *“Empowering Community and Youth for Adolescent Health, Gender Equality, and Preventing Gender-Based Violence through Civic Engagement,” * being implemented by the NCCE in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with funding support from Global Affairs Canada.

Addressing the players, the Keta Municipal Director of the NCCE, Madam Lina Elinam Bensah, emphasized the important role sportsmen play in influencing society, particularly young people. She noted that footballers are often regarded as role models and therefore have a responsibility to promote positive values, respectful behavior, and healthy relationships both on and off the field.

Madam Bensah highlighted the harmful effects of Gender-Based Violence on individuals, families, and communities, stressing that violence and discrimination hinder social development and deny many young people the opportunity to realize their full potential. She encouraged participants to support initiatives aimed at building safer and more inclusive communities.

The discussion also focused on the role of boys and men in addressing social challenges affecting adolescents. According to Madam Bensah, achieving gender equality requires the active involvement of men and boys in challenging harmful attitudes, supporting survivors of abuse, and promoting respect for the rights of women and girls.

Participants were educated on the causes and consequences of adolescent pregnancy as well as the impact of harmful social norms on the health and future opportunities of young people. They were encouraged to become advocates for informed decision-making and responsible behavior among their peers.

The football team was also reminded that every child, especially the girl child, deserves a safe and supportive environment to thrive. Parents, guardians, community leaders, and youth groups were urged to work together to protect and support adolescents in their communities.

Madam Bensah further encouraged participants to speak up against abuse, emphasizing that reporting violence and exploitation can help prevent further harm and provide protection for vulnerable persons.

The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by the NCCE and its partners to promote positive behavioral change, strengthen community ownership of interventions addressing adolescent health and Gender-Based Violence, and encourage young people to become active agents of social transformation.

Participants expressed appreciation for the program and pledged to use the knowledge gained to promote respect, equality, and non-violence within their teams, families, and communities.