Ajumako (C/R), April 25, GNA - A one day sensitisation workshop on advocacy campaign for increased family planning commodity supplies in Ghana has ended at Ajumako.

The 32 participants made up of religious leaders, traditional rulers, heads of departments and assembly members were taken through religion and family planning, myths, misconceptions, perceptions and practices.

Other areas include contraceptives, funding situation in Ghana, donors and funding companies, methods of family planning, advantages and disadvantages.

It became clear that there to include family planning on the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Nana Ama Oforiwa Sam, Project Coordinator=96Advocacy for the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), said shortages of reproductive health supplies and contraceptives continued to undermine progress towards providing adequate family planning and other national health services.

Nana Oforiwa Sam said the situation was affecting the country's efforts at achieving the poverty reduction target included in the Millennium Development Goals and the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action. She said even though substantial efforts had been made over the years in the health sector - physical structures and human resources, many women still failed to receive contraceptives and information needed to avoid unintended pregnancies due to shortages of contraceptives.

The District Chief Executive for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Mr Peter Light Koomson, and the Presiding Member of the Assembly Mr Solomon F. Cobbinah, expressed appreciation to the programme and assured the organisers, Faith Based Organisations in collaboration with PPAG that the assembly would ensure full implementation of family planning in the district with emphasis on education.

Mr Koomson said over the years traditional and cultural practices made it difficult to discuss family planning at gatherings, in the homes, in the churches and even between marriage couples, its consequences and lack of education has caused more harm than good both socially and economically. 25 April 11