Ms Celestine Adzah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Celestines Foundation, has appealed for stronger collaboration among parents, community leaders, and key stakeholders to enhance adolescent health and wellbeing in the region.
She made the call in an exclusive interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) saying adolescents encountered a range of sensitive and evolving challenges including sexual and reproductive health concerns, mental health pressures, substance use, and gaps in reliable information which required coordinated and culturally sensitive responses.
Ms Adzah emphasised that no single actor can adequately address these issues without the support of the wider community.
She highlighted the importance of fostering a supportive environment where parents, teachers, traditional authorities, youth groups, and faith-based organisations work collectively to guide and nurture young people.
Such collaboration, she said, enabled adolescents to feel valued and confident in seeking help when needed.
The CEO added that community-led platforms such as durbars, stakeholder forums, and youth dialogues offered opportunities to understand the lived realities of adolescents, strengthen advocacy for resources, and promote policies that reflect the needs of young people.
Ms Adzah observed that limited attention to adolescent health could expose young people to preventable health risks, emotional distress, and behaviours that undermine their development.
She said parents play a pivotal role in providing accurate information, maintaining open communication, and ensuring consistent guidance that supports adolescents’ growth.
“Adolescence is a critical stage that shapes an individual’s future. When parents and communities work together, we create the conditions for young people to thrive,” she said, and encouraged parents to maintain dialogue with their children, offer reassurance, and collaborate closely with schools and health professionals.
Ms Adzah reaffirmed the Foundation’s readiness to work with all stakeholders to promote adolescent health education, strengthen community engagement, and empower young people to make informed choices.
She expressed optimism that with collective effort, the region can build a healthier, more resilient generation.
