The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has presented packs of hygiene kits and emergency food supplies to Hope for the Future Generations (HFFG), a non-governmental organisation, for onward distribution to marginalised young people.

The beneficiaries also include those living with HIV across Ghana.

The items are 200 hygiene kits for boys, 500 food-packs and 500 kits for girls, including sanitary pads.

Ms Agnes Ntibanyurwa, the Deputy Country Representative of UNFPA, presented the items to the HFFG at a brief ceremony in Accra.

The donation was in line with UNFPA’s mandate “to Leave No One Behind,” particularly in times of pandemics such as COVID-19, she said.

Ms Cecilia Senoo, the Executive Director of HFFG, who received the items, commended UNFPA for the support, especially to young people living with HIV in the era of COVID-19.

She said the HFFG, as an implementing partner of UNFPA Ghana, had over the years been empowering and providing psychosocial support to young people living with HIV across the country.

She commended the donors for the kits, which would put smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries.

“HFFG with the support of UNFPA Ghana has provided Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education to about 120 young persons living with HIV in the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Northern regions and we are still mobilising,” Ms Senoo said.

“This gesture will therefore go a long way to support them during this period where many families are facing socio-economic challenges as a result of the pandemic.”

Ms Adjoa Yenyi, the National Programme Analyst, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health at UNFPA Ghana, said: “We realised that young people living with HIV turn to be marginalised in communities we work, hence the need for UNFPA to support us with basic needs to keep the dignity intact.”

She said based on research, it was identified that the lack of food was one of the reasons young people living with HIV defaulted in taking their medications.

She said judging by the impact COVID-19 was having on a lot of economies, it was ideal that young people were supported and be able to keep their dignity intact.

“HFFG believes every girl deserves to menstruate with dignity. The ‘Pads for Girls Everywhere’ intervention, therefore, seeks to break the silence and change the negative social norms around menstruation.”

“It engages decision-makers, traditional leaders and opinion leaders to increase the political priority for menstrual hygiene at all levels.”