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The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) distributed 21,552 male condoms during the 2024 Oguaa Fetu Afahye in Cape Coast. The event, which attracted thousands of visitors, saw an increase in social activities, prompting efforts to promote safe sex practices.
In collaboration with the Cape Coast Youth Action Movement (YAM) and other stakeholders, PPAG’s Cape Coast Clinic organized various activities aimed at preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, unintended pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) during the festival.
In addition to condom distribution, 722 people were screened for HIV, with two testing positive, and 602 individuals were screened for Hepatitis B, identifying five positive cases. The pre-festival activities included educational outreach across 13 communities in Cape Coast, reaching more than 600 people, especially youth aged 10 to 24.
During the festival, PPAG set up a four-day service stand at the Central Region Expo, providing HIV testing, Hepatitis B screening, family planning services, and counselling. The outreach extended to the Abura market and the popular “Orange Friday” street carnival, with volunteers distributing condoms and educating festival-goers.
Michael Tagoe, a programme officer with PPAG, expressed hope that these efforts would reduce the occurrence of STIs and unplanned pregnancies, though he noted that some festival-goers might still face the consequences of unsafe sexual practices, warning that “afahye babies” could be a result for those who were not cautious.
