GHEI’s health program constitutes a range of educational and preventative activities aimed at the youth and community at large. GHEI peer educators organize community outreach events and engage established local groups to tackle some of the most challenging health issues facing the community. From an initial focus on reproductive and sexual health, GHEI has broadened its range of health programs to include interventions relating to malaria and parasitic worm prevention, education on health topics from nutrition to hypertension, as well as the facilitation of research on the efficacy of village-based malaria interventions. We work with local radio stations, health clinics, schools, the district health administration and directly with the community to address the community’s health needs.

Adult Peer Education / The adult peer education program was developed with the aim of targeting adult and community health issues through education and information provided by their peers. There are currently 6 peer educators who are dedicated to advancing the health of their community. They write and stage dramas, design and carry out public health outreach sessions with a variety of target groups, and disseminate advice through their engagement with local groups and clubs. In addition to ongoing training provided by the Health Program Coordinator, each of our peer educators has also been trained by the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG). 

In partnership with the District Department of Social Welfare, GHEI works on the Government-funded initiative MSHAP (Multi-Sectoral HIV/AIDS Programme). This supports GHEI and its adult peer educators to carry out a variety of HIV/AIDS interventions, focusing on prevention, stigma and discrimination, and care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. Thanks to the MSHAP funding, GHEI has been able to expand its projects to surrounding rural villages.

Youth Peer Education / Since 2004, we have trained 4 or 5 junior high school students per year to counsel their peers on topics such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, communicable diseases, communication skills, assertiveness, personal hygiene, nutrition, maternal health, (continued)