Ajumako (C/R), April 28, GNA - A day's sensitisation workshop on advocacy campaign for increased family planning commodity supplies in Ghana has ended at Ajumako on the theme: 93It is time to take charge." The 32 participants made up of religious leaders, traditional rulers, heads of department and assembly members were taken through religion and family planning, myths, misconceptions, perceptions and practices. Other topics treated were contraceptives, funding situation in Ghana, donors and funding companies, methods of family planning, advantages and disadvantages. The participants were unanimous in their conclusion that there was the need to for family planning on the National Health Insurance Scheme. Nana Ama Oforiwa Sam, Project Co-ordinator 96 Advocacy for the Planne= d 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 effo= rts 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 96 physical structures and human resources, many wome= n still failed to receive contraceptives and information needed to avoid unintended pregnancies due to shortages of contraceptives. The Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District Chief Executive, Mr Peter Light Koomson, and the Presiding Member of the Assembly, Mr Solomon F. Cobbinah, expressed appreciation for 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 area, with emphasis on education.

Mr Koomson said over the years cultural practices made it difficult to discuss family planning at gatherings, in the homes, in churches and even among marriage couples leading to lack of education, which had caused more harm than good both socially and economically. Mrs Julian Brown, a resource person expressed worry about the majority of people seeking medical attention from drug stores and people who are not knowledgeable about some of the side effects of some of the contraceptives they sell or buy. She called on Ghanaians to seek advice from family planning clinics. 2