Tamale, 14 October 2013 – The Association of Church-based NGOs in Northern Ghana (ACDEP) has today launched a SMS Quiz on sexual reproductive health. The aim of the SMS Quiz is to inform adolescents in a fun and interactive way about their sexuality. That is important since 75% of the adolescents – questioned during one of ACDEP’s research on SRH – did not know that they can get pregnant when having sexual intercourse without using any contraceptive method. Less than half of the adolescents knew that you cannot tell someone’s HIV status just by looking at them. By enhancing their knowledge they are able to make their own decisions. Participants who answer all questions will receive a ticket for the World Aids Day Event and can also win prices like mobile phones, t-shirts and airtime.
“It is very important for adolescents to have access to information. To reach as many people as possible we have developed this quiz”, according to Malex Alebikiya, Executive Director of ACDEP. “Adolescents are our future that’s why we support many projects focusing on this target group.”
The SMS Quiz
Participants of the free SMS Quiz need to text a key word “WAD2013” to 7000 (MTN) or 1904 (Airtel, Expresso). Then they will receive 11 questions about sexual and reproductive health and 3 personal questions during one week. “Participants will receive two questions a day. If they answer all questions, they will receive a ticket for the World Aids Day event at the 30th of November in the Jubilee Park. There will be performances by famous artists, drama and dance”, explains Prince Abugri programme manager at ACDEPs health unit. “Since this is a sensitive topic, I would like to emphasize that the answers are confidential and will not be shared.” In order to create more awareness for the quiz, ACDEP will partner with radio stations Kesmi FM, Fiila FM, Justice FM and Northstar FM. ACDEP has also launched the website www.wad2013.acdep.org.
About ACDEP
ACDEP, established in 1977, is a consortium of largely, Church-based leading NGOs involved in the sustainable socio-economic development of the people in Northern Ghana. ACDEPs focus is on agricultural, health and nutrition, finance services and climate change adaptation projects spread around the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions and some parts of the Brong-Ahafo region.
Partners
This campaign was made possible by our partners: Connect4Change, Curious Minds, dance4life, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Aids Commission, Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana, Text to Change, Theatre for a Change and Vodafone Foundation.