Massive Mobilization Campaign on Family Planning and HIV Screening at the Kodjoviakope and Aflao Borders

Massive Mobilization Campaign on Family Planning and HIV Screening at the Kodjoviakope and Aflao Borders

On Monday 13 January 2020 and Tuesday 14 January 2020, the West African Health Organization (WAHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene of Togo and the Ministry of Health of Ghana and with the financial support from the German Development Bank (KFW) and USAID-West Africa, has organized the cross-border mass sensitization campaign on family planning and HV screening at the Kodjoviakope (Togo) and Aflao (Ghana) Hub.

On Monday 13 January 2020, the campaign was launched in Togo at the Kodjoviakope border. In attendance were: 1) the Director of Healthcare Services of WAHO representing the Director General; 2) the Prefet of Lomé; 3) the Deputy Minister of Health of Ghana; 4) the Deputy Minister of the Volta region of Ghana; 5) the Country Representative of UNFPA in Togo; 6) the Executive Secretary of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organization; 7) local and traditional chiefs from Lomé and Aflao; and 8) key stakeholders from Togo and Ghana working in the area of Family Planning and HIV.

The keynote address was made by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene of Togo, Dr Sossinou Awoussinou on behalf of the sector Minister, Prof Mustafa Mijiyawa.

Tuesday 14 January 2020 was the turn of Ghana to do the launch of the campaign and this was performed at the Aflao border by the Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. Alexander Abban, on behalf of the sector Minister, Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu. In attendance were: 1) the Director of Healthcare Services of WAHO representing the Director General; 2) the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene of Togo; 3) the Deputy Minister of Health of Ghana; 4) the Volta Regional Minister; 5) the Country Representative of UNFPA in Togo; 6) the Country Representative of UNFPA in Ghana; 7) the Country Director of KFW; 8) the Executive Secretary of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organization; 9) local and traditional chiefs from Lomé and Aflao; and 10) key stakeholders from Togo and Ghana working in the area of Family Planning and HIV.

The event was chaired by the paramount chief of the Aflao Traditional Area, Togbui Adzongaga Amenya Fiti V.

Both launching ceremonies were followed by visit to the mobile service providers who were offering free of charge HIV testing and Counseling, Family Planning services as well as cervical cancer testing.

The people of Kodjoviakope and Aflao and their environs were encouraged to patronize the services which would last for three (03) days.