Savana Signatures, in partnership with the Ghana Education Service (GES), has organized a Reproductive Health Literacy, Social Support, and Reading Festival 2025 at the Williaco Lodge in Sogakope, Volta Region.

The festival brought together 24 contestants from 12 circuits across the South Tongu District to compete in literacy and reproductive health challenges. The event focused on promoting reproductive health education, social support, and creating safe spaces for adolescents, especially girls.

After a competitive and exciting contest, the host circuit, Sogakope West, emerged as champions with 67 points, followed by Lolito–Nyibo Circuit with 61.5 points and Danyikpo Circuit with 58 points.

Participating circuits included Sogakope East, Sogakope West, Dabala, Adutor, Lolito–Nyibo, Dabala Junction, Agordomi, Tefle, Kpotame, Danyikpo, Agave, and Larve.

Inspiring Voices from the Festival
The GES Director for South Tongu, Madam Celestine S.E. Korsi-Agordo, expressed her excitement at hosting the festival, commending Savana Signatures and partners for the initiative.

She encouraged the learners to take their studies seriously, noting that education remains a key pathway to success and empowerment for young people.

Elikem Agbenyo, Program Manager at Savana Signatures, explained that the festival was designed to empower young people by combining literacy development with education on key social issues. He noted that the event created a safe and engaging platform to promote reproductive health awareness, prevent gender-based violence (GBV), and strengthen life skills such as communication, decision-making, and self-confidence.

He added that nurturing a culture of reading and understanding social support systems inspires adolescents to embrace positive values, build resilience, and make informed life choices, contributing to healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities.

Partner Support and Guest Contributions.
Representatives from the Social Welfare and DOVVSU Department, including Mr. Edward Hovey Woyome and Mr. Tsornyabu Saviour, emphasized their commitment to protecting adolescents from challenges such as child marriage, trafficking, child labour, abuse of all forms, and GBV.

Mr. Woyome reaffirmed that “Our offices remain open to listen, guide, and provide any help adolescents may need. We work with families, schools, and communities to ensure that your safety and rights are always respected and protected.”

Former Miss Ghana, Miss Miriam Xorlasi Tordzeagbo, also inspired the young participants to cultivate a consistent reading culture, reminding them that “Readers are Leaders.” She shared how reading empowered her to pursue her dreams and urged adolescents to stay focused, avoid negative peer influences, and use the SHE+ Helpline to access professional counsellors and health experts for reliable, free support.

SHE+ Helpline: Extending Learning Beyond the Festival

A key highlight of the Reproductive Health Literacy, Social Support and Reading Festival 2025 was the integration of the SHE+ Helpline, Savana Signatures’ innovative digital platform that connects adolescents and young people to accurate information, counselling, and referral services on reproductive health and wellbeing.

The SHE+ Helpline, accessible via toll-free number 0800001122 and WhatsApp line 0593947812, was featured throughout the festival as an essential support system for learners and teachers alike.

Participants were introduced to how the platform works and encouraged to use it as a safe, confidential space to ask questions or seek help on issues such as puberty, menstrual hygiene, mental health, gender-based violence, and relationships.

The SHE+ Helpline heavily relies on the existence of a well mapped out repertoire of very reputable and reliable sexual, reproductive, health and right service points across the length and breadth of Ghana. These points include both public and private facilities and institutions including health facilities, security services, legal services, psychosocial services, laboratory services etc.

Emefa Ethel Ehla, Head of Programs at Savana Signatures, explained that the helpline serves as a bridge between learning and lived experience, extending the impact of classroom and festival discussions into young people’s daily lives.

“After the excitement of events like this, young people still have questions they may not be comfortable asking their teachers or parents. Our SHE+ helpline gives them that safe space to reach out and get professional support when they need it most,” she said.

During the festival, Savana Signatures distributed SHE+ flyers and callcards and demonstrated how to access SHE+ via mobile devices. Adolescents were encouraged to share the helpline with their peers and use it whenever they need reliable guidance or counselling.

Since its introduction, the SHE+ Helpline has reached over 3,000 adolescents across the Volta Region with counselling, referrals, and reproductive health information, complementing initiatives like the Reading Festival by ensuring that knowledge doesn’t stop at the event, but continues through accessible digital support.

By combining digital innovation with literacy and health education, Savana Signatures is reinforcing its mission to empower adolescents and young people to make informed decisions and lead healthier, more confident lives.

About the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP)

The Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), funded by UNESCO and implemented by Savana Signatures in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and partners, is an annual initiative that equips adolescents and young people (AYP) with accurate, age-appropriate, rights-based, and gender-transformative reproductive health information.

Since 2022, the project has been implemented across Keta Municipal, South Tongu, and Central Tongu Districts, empowering adolescents through school and community engagements.

The South Tongu festival created an exciting space for adolescents to learn, compete, and grow. Beyond awarding prizes to the top three circuits, the real achievement was empowering young people with literacy, reproductive health knowledge, and life skills to make informed decisions and contribute positively to their communities.

The enthusiasm and participation of the 12 circuits reflected a growing commitment to building a future where reading, knowledge, and empowerment form the foundation for safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Story by: Prince Kwame Tamakloe