Fostering the wellbeing of adolescent girls through an out-of-school sexuality education programme in Ghana

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ghanaian adolescents face considerable sexual and reproductive health challenges that can disrupt human capital formation. However, a positive and healthy transition from adolescence to adulthood can be achieved by increasing access to sexual and reproductive health information, education, and services. This paper documents emerging findings from an adolescent girls’ programme delivered in 56 districts of Ghana. Data were collected from girls and young women aged 10–24 years who participated in the programme as part of a larger study that included in-school and out-of-school participants. In-depth interviews (IDI) [N = 49] and focus-group discussions (FGDs) [N = 13] were conducted in November 2021 and November 2022. An abductive approach was used to develop key themes from the data. The analysis revealed that the programme showed promise in changing the attitudes of beneficiaries towards safe sexual practices through condom use, in increasing assertiveness towards sexual and gender-based violence, and in real-life application of the knowledge and skills gained for health and social wellbeing. Out-of-school sexuality education programmes such as the one described here can be important catalysts for developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with others through the provision of information and education, and service delivery.