NCCE Takes GBV and Adolescent Health Campaign to Abor Market and Lorry Station

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Keta Municipal Office, extended its mobile van sensitization campaign to traders and commuters at the Abor Market and Abor Lorry Station as part of efforts to promote gender equality and safeguard adolescent health.

The public education formed part of the project, “Empowering Community and Youth for Adolescent Health, Gender Equality, and Preventing Gender-Based Violence through Civic Engagement,” implemented by NCCE in partnership with UNFPA and with financial support from Global Affairs Canada.

At the bustling Abor Market, shoppers and traders paused their daily business as messages on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), adolescent pregnancy, harmful social norms, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) echoed through the mobile van. The team later moved to the Abor Lorry Station, where drivers, passengers, transport operators, and commercial vendors also took part in the awareness campaign.

Leading the exercise, the Keta Municipal Director of NCCE, Mad. Lina Bensah, underscored the importance of collective action in protecting adolescents from abuse and harmful practices. She explained that the project seeks to promote positive behavioural change towards adolescent health, SRHR, and the prevention of gender-based violence while strengthening community ownership of these efforts.

Also addressing participants, Mad. Agartha Fiakofi emphasized that gender-based violence has devastating consequences for individuals, families, and society. She called on community members to reject all forms of violence and discrimination and instead foster homes and communities built on mutual respect, equality, and human dignity.

She further encouraged men and boys to become active partners in preventing GBV, noting that sustainable change requires everyone to challenge harmful social norms that place women and girls at risk. She also urged parents and guardians to maintain open communication with adolescents and provide the guidance and support needed for them to make responsible decisions about their health and future.

The officers reminded participants that every child, particularly the girl child, deserves a safe and supportive environment to grow, learn, and realise their full potential. They also encouraged the public to report cases of abuse, stressing that speaking up can help protect victims and prevent future acts of violence.

The mobile van campaign attracted the attention of many traders, passengers, and motorists, creating meaningful conversations on issues affecting adolescents and families. By taking civic education directly to public spaces where people live and work, the NCCE continues to strengthen community awareness and inspire collective responsibility in promoting adolescent health, gender equality, and the prevention of gender-based violence.