Since 2015, Youth Power Accountability Advocates have provided comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education services to over 1,000 teenagers and have worked with over 40 mothers residing in rural areas of Ghana on maternal health issues, including reducing maternal death and ensuring safe deliveries. In an area where teen pregnancy rates are alarmingly high, this initiative is helping girls to stay in school. Women who have benefited from this initiative gone on to take up advocacy roles in their communities by encouraging others to deliver in hospitals, rather than relying on non-certified birth attendants.
Youth Power Accountability Advocates also collect and analyzes data to identify challenges which prevent youth from accessing sexual and reproductive health services. The findings of their report were presented to the Ghana Health Service and used to influence the Ghana Adolescent Health Policy and Strategy. In 2017, the report’s findings were presented at the 72nd United Nations General Assembly and subsequently in Tbilisi, Georgia during an annual conference of the World Federation of United Nations Associations. By making these data and findings known to governments, civil society organization and other stakeholders, the project continues to empower youth, while improving access to care.