By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu
Kasseh-Ada, Jan. 04, GNA – The Naana Kakie Foundation, a non-governmental organisation focused on HIV/AIDS awareness and youth empowerment, has organised a Girls’ Netball Empowerment Competition and HIV/AIDS Awareness Programme for young females in Ada.
The programme, which targeted girls under 17 years, was the first of its kind in the area and brought together young female netball players from various communities within the Ada East and Ada West Districts.
Madam Esther Kakie Ayimavor-Puplampu, popularly known as Naana Kakie and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the initiative sought to identify and nurture sporting talents, educate the girls on HIV/AIDS prevention and empower them to become advocates for healthy living.
Madam Ayimavor-Puplampu explained that the competition also served as a platform to select young girls to act as HIV/AIDS Awareness Ambassadors in their schools and communities, helping to promote peer education and reduce stigma associated with the disease.
She expressed appreciation to individuals and organisations that supported the initiatives, mentioning Naana Adiki Manyeyo Adi I, the President of the Ada Queen Mothers Consortium; Madam Dela Dzivenu; Nii Teye; and Sly DounCee for donating boxes of sanitary pads, packs of drinks, and financial support, respectively.
A total of eight teams participated in the competition, with Matrix from Big Ada emerging as overall winners after defeating Generations from Dorgobom by a one-goal margin in extra time, following a seven-all draw at full time. Super X from Koluedor placed third.
The first-, second- and third-placed teams were presented with trophies, while all participating teams received certificates of participation, sanitary pads and transportation support.
Additionally, ten girls were selected and appointed as HIV/AIDS Awareness Ambassadors to champion HIV prevention messages across both the Ada East and Ada West Districts.
Naana Kakie urged the girls to apply the lessons learnt during the educational sessions to actively educate their peers and communities to reduce the spread of HIV, while they also protected themselves.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/ Christabel Addo
