Sheikh Mohammed Bun Bida, Corporate Affairs Manager and International Relations Officer of Al Qimmah Association, a Saudi-Arabian-based humanitarian organisation, has entreated female porters (kaya yei) to be responsive to reproductive health issues.

He said: “it is in their own interest to make informed-decisions bothering on such issues to reduce their susceptibility of contracting the deadly HIV and AIDS or giving birth to unwanted children with their attendant consequences on the society.”

Sheikh Bun Bida, gave the advice when Al Qimmah donated bagged rice and fresh beef to more than 100 female porters in Kumasi and Sepe-Akobalm where more than 200 underprivileged residents also received their share.

He observed that by the nature of their job and the high illiteracy and poverty rate among the porters, “they are exposed to all sorts of risks and challenges”.

He called for intensified educational campaigns to create the needed awareness on the consequences of their actions and inactions in respect to reproductive health issues.

This is the second time the humanitarian organisation is reaching out to the needy, and the first donation saw Al Qimmah, led by its Founder, Sheikh Al-SSubaie, presenting sewing machines, bicycles, gas cookers and cylinders to some underprivileged residents.

Ustaz Abdul Rahman, Head of the Advisory Committee, Ghana Office, Al Qimmah, impressed upon Muslims to avoid rushing their daughters into early marriage.

Sheikh Ibrahim Abdul-Karim, the Al Qimmah Country Director, said the body is committed to advance the cause of women, saying this would be done by facilitating their acquisition of employable skills and formal education.