Plan International Ghana has launched the Rooting for Change project in the Suhum Municipality of the Eastern Region to address adolescent pregnancies in cocoa-growing areas. Supported by Tony’s Chocolonely, a leading cocoa company in the Netherlands, the two-year initiative focuses on empowering youth in Aponoapono and Obretema, with the aim to expand into nearby communities.
This project seeks to support at least 800 young people, 60% of whom are girls aged 10–19, by September 2026. It will provide education on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), improve access to youth-friendly health services, and create a safe environment for adolescents to make informed decisions free from discrimination and violence.
The program also addresses challenges like poverty, gender inequality, and limited resources, which increase the vulnerability of girls in cocoa-producing regions. Local stakeholders, including the Ghana Health Service, Suhum Municipal Assembly, and social welfare agencies, have pledged their support to ensure its success.
Representatives from Tony’s Chocolonely, the Dutch Embassy, and local leaders highlighted the critical role of empowering girls in shaping the future of cocoa communities. With alarming rates of adolescent pregnancies—305 cases recorded in 2023—this initiative aims to bring transformative change and improve the lives of young people.
