Access Bank, UNFPA deepen partnership to end Obstetric Fistula. August 5, 2026 2 minutes read Access Bank (Ghana) Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to strengthen collaboration under the Partnership to End Obstetric Fistula in Ghana. The agreement reaffirms the bank's commitment to improving maternal health and restoring the dignity of women living with the condition. The partnership marks a significant step in Access Bank Ghana's long-running campaign against obstetric fistula, with both institutions aiming to expand access to corrective surgeries, intensify public awareness and mobilise sustainable funding to eliminate the condition. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra yesterday on behalf of the Managing Director, Mrs Pearl Nkrumah, the Executive Director for Retail and SME Banking, Mr Eugene Ocansey, said the initiative reflected the bank's purpose-driven approach to corporate social responsibility. He explained that since 2018, the bank had led the Fight Against Fistula campaign, working with health professionals, advocates and development partners to restore hope and dignity to affected women. Discover more City & Local Guides Classified Ad Placement Ghana Card Services Mr Ocansey said the bank was now transitioning from a campaign to a more sustainable institutional framework through the establishment of the Fistula Trust Fund. He described the fund as a transparent and structured platform that would enable individuals, institutions and corporate organisations to contribute towards surgeries and rehabilitation for women affected by obstetric fistula. He acknowledged the technical leadership of UNFPA in addressing the condition, as well as the contributions of partners such as the Mercy Women's Catholic Hospital and the Kaysens Group, whose efforts, he said, had strengthened Ghana's response. The Deputy Representative of UNFPA Ghana, Dr Emmily Naphambo, commended Access Bank for renewing its commitment, stressing that collaboration between government, development partners and the private sector remained essential to ending obstetric fistula. She explained that obstetric fistula, a childbirth-related injury, had far-reaching consequences beyond physical health, affecting women's dignity, livelihoods and social inclusion. Dr Naphambo noted that many affected women continued to suffer in silence, often facing stigma, isolation and economic hardship. She said restoring a woman's health through fistula repair also restored her dignity, productivity and role within her family and community, adding that no meaningful human capital development could be achieved if vulnerable women were left behind. Dr Naphambo disclosed that the partnership aimed to support about 2,499 fistula repair cases annually and clear a backlog of 7,130 cases, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the condition in Ghana by 2030. She added that efforts were also underway to make fistula repair services routinely available in health facilities across the country, rather than relying mainly on periodic outreach surgical camps. Discover more Business News Analysis Legislative Branch Access Bank News Discover more Ghana Tourism Packages Ghanaian Times Subscription World Politics Report

Govt unveils new five-year strategy to reduce Adolescent Pregnancy in Ghana. The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional authorities and young people to ensure the successful implementation of Ghana's Revised Adolescent Pregnancy Strategy (2026-2030). Delivering the keynote address at a national coordination meeting held at the Coconut Grove Hotel in Accra, the Minister described adolescent pregnancy as a major national development challenge that requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral response beyond the health sector. The meeting brought together representatives from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), government ministries, departments and agencies, academia, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups and the media to align efforts towards implementing the revised national strategy. Hon. Dr. Lartey noted that adolescent pregnancy continues to undermine the education, health and economic opportunities of thousands of young girls across Ghana. Citing findings from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, she revealed that approximately 15 percent of girls aged 15 to 19 have experienced pregnancy, with more than 100,000 teenage pregnancies recorded annually nationwide. She explained that poverty, limited access to sexual and reproductive health education and services, school dropout and harmful social norms remain major drivers of adolescent pregnancy. The Minister highlighted significant regional disparities, noting that while Greater Accra records one of the country's lowest teenage pregnancy rates at about six percent, regions including Savannah, Ashanti, Upper East and Upper West continue to experience much higher numbers. She cited the Upper East Region, where more than 2,400 teenage pregnancies were recorded within the first five months of 2025, including over 500 cases in the Bongo District. Hon. Dr. Lartey explained that the Revised Adolescent Pregnancy Strategy (2026-2030) builds on lessons learned from the implementation of the first national strategy, which covered the period from 2018 to 2022. Developed by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with UNFPA, the Ministries responsible for Health and Education, and other stakeholders, the revised strategy seeks to strengthen coordinated national efforts to prevent adolescent pregnancy while promoting adolescent health, education, protection and rights. According to the Minister, the strategy aligns with Ghana's national development priorities and international commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals. The Minister stressed that no strategy can succeed without effective implementation and institutional cooperation. She said the coordination meeting was organised to familiarise stakeholders with the revised strategy and its implementation plan, clarify institutional responsibilities, identify potential challenges and agree on practical actions for coordinated implementation across all sectors. "Our success will not be measured by the quality of the document alone, but by the lives we transform, the girls who remain in school, the pregnancies we prevent, the rights we protect and the opportunities we create for Ghana's adolescents," she said. Hon. Dr. Lartey reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to ensuring that adolescents across Ghana receive accurate information, life skills education and access to quality adolescent-friendly services that empower them to make informed decisions about their future.

PR No. 258 GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES DIGITAL GRADE IV LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION PILOT TO STRENGTHEN FUTURE-READY LEARNING Islamabad: July 29, 2026. The Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, through its National Curriculum Council Wing (NCCW), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pakistan and ACT International, today launched the Grade IV Digital Life Skills-Based Education (LSBE) Learning Management System (LMS) Pilot in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), marking a significant step towards integrating digital innovation into school education and promoting essential life skills among young learners. The launch ceremony was held at Islamabad College for Boys, G-6/3, and was attended by senior government officials, representatives of UNFPA Pakistan, development partners, education experts, school leaders, and teachers. Federal Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, Mr. Nadeem Mahbub, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Addressing the ceremony, the Federal Secretary reaffirmed the Government's commitment to modernising the education sector through innovation and technology. He stated that quality education should not only focus on academic excellence but also equip children with practical life skills, including critical thinking, effective communication, problem-solving, and informed decision-making, enabling them to become responsible and productive citizens. He described the digitisation of the Grade IV LSBE curriculum as an important milestone in preparing children for the opportunities and challenges of the twenty-first century. The Digital LSBE Learning Management System provides an interactive, age-appropriate, and gender-sensitive curriculum for Grade IV students while equipping teachers with modern digital teaching resources. The three-month pilot will be implemented in twenty schools across Islamabad Capital Territory, including eight schools under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and twelve schools under the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA). The initiative will assess the effectiveness of the digital platform, with findings expected to guide future policy decisions and support its phased expansion to additional grades and schools across the country. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Gulnara Kadyrkulova, Deputy Representative of UNFPA Pakistan, reaffirmed UNFPA's commitment to supporting adolescents and young people through quality Life Skills-Based Education. She noted that the programme equips children with the knowledge, values, and practical skills needed to make informed decisions while fostering confidence, empathy, effective communication, and respect for diversity. She added that the digital platform would further strengthen inclusive, learner-centred education and improve access to quality learning resources for both teachers and students. The Grade IV Digital LSBE LMS Pilot reflects the strong partnership between the Government of Pakistan, UNFPA Pakistan, and ACT International and reaffirms their shared commitment to advancing inclusive, innovative, and future-ready education for every child.