COMMUNITY AND FAMILY AID FOUNDATION

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Today is WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY

7TH JUNE,2026-SUNDAY

Global Theme: "From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere,"

COMMUNITY AND FAMILY AID FOUNDATION – GHANA CELEBRATES WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY 2026: CALLING FOR ACTION "FROM BURDEN TO SOLUTIONS"

ACCRA, GHANA – June 7, 2026, Sunday – The Community and Family Aid Foundation (CAFAF) – Ghana proudly joins the global community today to observe World Food Safety Day. Under this year’s vital theme, "From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere," CAFAF is shifting the focus from simply discussing the food safety crisis to mobilizing concrete, collaborative action across all sectors of society.

The global food safety crisis remains a severe public health challenge. According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances causes millions of illnesses and countless preventable deaths worldwide. Across Africa, the burden of foodborne diseases is among the highest in the world, heavily impacting public health, economic development, and livelihoods.

In Ghana, these systemic issues are exacerbated by informal market food handling, post-harvest losses, improper use of agrochemicals, and gaps in cold-chain logistics. Addressing these challenges is no longer optional. Unsafe food not only threatens human health but also deepens poverty and hinders sustainable development.

Despite these alarming realities, this year’s observation is a powerful call to transform data and evidence into actionable, lasting solutions. Food safety cannot exist as mere celebration; it is a fundamental shared responsibility that requires strict follow-through from every tier of society. From government policymakers and agricultural regulators to food vendors, market women, and everyday consumers, every individual holds a critical duty to food safety.

CAFAF – Ghana urges all stakeholders—including local farmers, food processors, market leaders, and the public—to move beyond awareness and actively implement strict hygienic practices, advocate for safer food supply chains, and hold each other accountable for food integrity. Let us work together to ensure that safe, nutritious, and healthy food is a reality for every Ghanaian family, every day.

About Community and Family Aid Foundation (CFAF) – Ghana:

The Community and Family Aid Foundation (CAFAF) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing, and economic resilience of communities across Ghana.

Media Contact:

Community and Family Aid Foundation (CFAF) – Ghana
Email: [email protected]

Website: https://cafafghana.org/

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Today is World Environment Day

Official Theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future

ACCRA, GHANA — June 5, 2026-Friday

On this World Environment Day, the Community and Family Aid Foundation (CAFAF) Ghana joins the global community to mark this vital day under the official theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.” Aligned with the global campaign , anchored from the host city of Baku, Azerbaijan, we issue an urgent call to action for the preservation of our ecosystems as the ultimate defense against the escalating climate crisis.

The Global Reality and the African Frontline

The world stands at a critical ecological crossroads. Globally, rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns are dismantling livelihoods. Africa faces the sharpest edge of this crisis despite contributing the least to global emissions. Across the continent, intensifying droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and rapid deforestation are directly threatening food security, clean water access, and the stability of millions of families.

The Crisis at Home: Ghana’s Environmental Battle

Here in Ghana, the climate emergency is no longer a future threat—it is our current reality. Our sacred forests are depleting, our vital water bodies are facing unprecedented pollution from illegal mining (galamsey), and changing weather cycles are disrupting our agricultural backbone. These environmental injuries hit local communities and families the hardest, draining economic resources and compromising the future of our youth.

Our Unwavering Commitment: Action

At CAFAF Ghana, we firmly believe that the answers to our climate challenges are rooted in nature itself. We are actively committing our resources, advocacy, and community networks to implement nature-based solutions. Our 2026 strategic focus centers on:

• Community-Led Restoration: Spearheading local tree-planting initiatives to restore depleted native ecosystems and protect biodiversity.
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• Climate Smart Education: Equipping families and smallholder farmers with sustainable agricultural practices to build resilience against extreme weather.
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• Grassroots Advocacy: Empowering women and youth to become frontline defenders of Ghana’s natural water bodies and forest reserves.
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A Call to Action for Our Collective Future

We cannot afford to wait. The future of Ghana’s environment depends entirely on the bold decisions we make today. CAFAF Ghana calls on the government, civil society, traditional leaders, corporate bodies, and every citizen to move past words and invest heavily in eco-protection. Let us safeguard our native ecosystems. Let us act to secure a sustainable, prosperous tomorrow for every family.

Media Contact:

https://cafafghana.org/

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World No To***co Day 2026 (31st May, 2026-sunday)

ACCRA, GHANA — CAFAF-GHANA CALLS FOR URGENT POLICY ACTION TO DEFEAT PREDATORY TO***CO MARKETING ON WORLD NO TO***CO DAY 2026

Today, the Community And Family Aid foundation-Ghana (CAFAF-Ghana) joins the global community and the World Health Organization (WHO) to mark World No To***co Day 2026 under the pressing theme, "Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Ni****ne and To***co Addiction." This year's celebration demands that we expose the deceptive strategies used by the to***co industry to profit from a new generation of vulnerable youth.

The Overwhelming Public Health Crisis

To***co remains the single largest preventable cause of premature death worldwide. Global data reveals that to***co claims 8 million lives annually, including 1.2 million innocent non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke. Regionally, the threat is accelerating: Africa suffers over 250,000 to***co-attributable deaths each year, with mortality rates projected to double by 2030 if swift action is not taken.

In Ghana, the paradox is frightening. While adult to***co use sits at a relatively low threshold, nearly 6,000 Ghanaians die every year from to***co-related illnesses. Meanwhile, the Global To***co Index highlights an alarming trends: child and adolescent use (ages 13–15) has risen to 9%, fueled directly by new ni****ne products.

Unmasking the Industry Strategy

"The traditional cigarette is being repackaged as a tech gadget," stated the Executive Director of CAFAF-Ghana. "The introduction of e-cigarettes, v**es, and synthetic ni****ne pouches—laced with sweet flavors and hidden behind sleek aesthetics—is a calculated corporate strategy to trap Ghanaian children in a lifetime cycle of ni****ne dependence."

This constitutes a critical public health failure. Early ni****ne exposure permanently alters adolescent brain development, damages respiratory systems, and introduces long-term cardiovascular risks.

A Call for Decisive Remedies

CAFAF-Ghana outlines three structural remedies that must be executed by policymakers immediately:
Enforce an Absolute Flavor Ban: Outlaw all sweet, fruit, and candy-flavored ni****ne juices that make addiction appealing to children.

Eradicate Digital Marketing Placements: Impose severe regulatory fines on entities promoting to***co, v**es, or ni****ne pouches via social media algorithms or digital influencers.

Close Legislative Loopholes: Strengthen cross-border monitoring to end the illicit trade and deceptive labeling of modern to***co alternatives.

CAFAF-Ghana’s Roadmap: Our Commitment to the Future

To combat this escalating epidemic, CAFAF-Ghana is launching a multi-tiered strategic plan designed to shield Ghanaian families:

Short-Term Initi
atives (2026–2027):

CAFAF-Ghana will instantly roll out its "Unmask the V**e" school awareness tours across 100 high-risk secondary schools, while deploying community-based cessation toolkits to assist youth currently struggling with ni****ne dependence.

Long-Term Initiatives (2028–2031):

We will lobby state actors for structural enforcement of the WHO Framework Convention on To***co Control (FCTC) within local government by-laws and construct a civil-society digital monitoring network to track and block under-the-counter online v**e distribution networks targeting youth.

We call on the government, academic institutions, religious bodies, and parents to join us in unmasking this commercial exploitation. Our future generations are not up for sale.

Executive Summary

CAFAF-GHANA Make Inroads

International Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration 2026

On Thursday, May 28, 2026, the Community And Family Aid Foundation-Ghana (CAFAF-Ghana) successfully commemorated International Menstrual Hygiene Day. Partnering with friends and stakeholders in Accra, the Foundation championed menstrual health for over 950 school students in the Ayawaso municipality, featuring live demonstrations, expert panel discussions, and targeted distribution of menstrual hygiene kits.

Event Overview & Highlights

Location: Ayawaso Municipality, Accra, Ghana

Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026

Beneficiaries: Over 950 adolescent students

Core Activities: Menstrual health panel discussions, interactive Q&A sessions, distribution of essential menstrual hygiene kits, and confidence-boosting talks.

Detailed Report of the Day’s Events

The day was marked by immense enthusiasm and high participation as CAFAF-Ghana, alongside its committed partners, mobilized nearly 1,000 students to address a topic often shrouded in silence and cultural stigma

Live Demonstrations: Healthcare professionals and Foundation volunteers led practical, age-appropriate demonstrations on proper menstrual hygiene management (MHM). This included how to safely use, change, and dispose of sanitary products, aligning with guidelines for clean and healthy periods.

Panel Discussions: Experts led insightful conversations centered around breaking the stigma of menstruation and normalizing periods as a natural biological process. The discussions emphasized that menstrual health is tied to fundamental human rights and dignity.

Kit Distribution: Essential menstrual hygiene kits were distributed to over 950 girls, providing immediate, tangible resources to manage their periods safely and hygienically.

Q&A and Morale Boosting: An open forum allowed students to ask questions safely, clear up prevailing myths, and share their experiences.

The energy was electric, with students participating in morale-boosting sessions designed to empower them to stay in school and achieve their goals without fear or shame regarding their periods.

Why the Date and Theme Matter

The selection of May 28 for this event is highly symbolic. It represents the fifth month of the year, with days being the average duration of a menstrual cycle.

CAFAF-Ghana’s initiative in Accra parallels the broader national and international movements for a period-friendly world, where no girl drops out of school or misses out on life opportunities due to her period

Looking Forward: Strategic Follow-Ups

The Ayawaso celebration is just the beginning of a broader, sustained advocacy effort. To champion Ghana's health and menstrual hygiene literacy among young people, CAFAF-Ghana will implement the following short- and long-term plans:

School-Based Clubs: Launching continuous peer-to-peer menstrual health clubs to ensure ongoing literacy and support.

Infrastructure Advocacy: Working closely with local authorities and schools to ensure access to adequate, safe, and clean sanitation facilities.

Community Pad Banks: Partnering with traditional and community leaders to establish sustainable distribution channels and pad banks.

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Community And Family Aid Foundation-Ghana Rallies Actions on Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 to Build a

ACCRA, GHANA — May 28, 2026 —Thursday- Today, the Community And Family Aid Foundation-Ghana (CAFAF-Ghana) joins the global community to commemorate International Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026. Guided by the global theme, “Together for a ,” and the national sub-theme, “Together for a Period-Friendly Ghana,” CAFAF-Ghana is making an urgent call to action. The organization aims to break local cultural taboos, eliminate period poverty, and ensure that menstruation is treated as a basic human right rather than a source of shame.
The Menstrual Hygiene Reality: Global, Regional, and National Data

The stark divide between policy frameworks and daily reality highlights an ongoing crisis across all demographics:

The Global Situation: On any given day, an estimated 800 million women and girls are menstruating worldwide. Shockingly, millions lack basic access to clean water, private toilets, and affordable sanitary products. Destructive stigmas continue to restrict the mobility, education, and bodily autonomy of young girls globally.

The African Situation: Across Sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 10 adolescent girls miss school during their monthly cycle due to a lack of safe menstrual hygiene management (MHM) tools. Compounding the crisis, a mere 11% of schools across the subcontinent possess adequate menstrual waste disposal facilities, leaving girls exposed to health risks and emotional distress.

The Ghanaian Situation: Data compiled by UNICEF Ghana reveals that 27.5% of adolescent girls in Ghana miss school specifically because of their periods. While the government’s Free Sanitary Pads Initiative is a welcome step, severe infrastructure gaps persist: 1.9 million schoolchildren lack basic water facilities and 1.8 million lack access to toilets in their schools. Furthermore, 31% of young girls in Ghana have never received any formal menstrual health education, leaving them vulnerable to deep-seated social isolation.

CAFAF-Ghana’s Strategic Action Plan

To bridge these gaps, CAFAF-Ghana is deploying an integrated roadmap divided into short-term interventions and long-term sustainable frameworks.

Short-Term Goals (1–12 Months)

Emergency Dignity Distributions: Dispatching 10,000 eco-friendly, reusable hygiene kits to vulnerable schoolgirls in rural communities across Ghana.

Water and Sanitation Rehabilitation: Restoring private, gender-segregated toilet spaces and handwashing stations in ten targeted public junior high schools.

Community Sensitization Caravans: Launching localized, multi-language educational drives to dismantle period myths among traditional leaders, boys, and parents.

Long-Term Goals (2–5 Years)

Grassroots Manufacturing: Establishing localized, low-cost production units for biodegradable sanitary towels to foster community job creation and secure affordable supply chains.

Curriculum Advocacy: Partnering with Ghana’s Ministry of Education to embed mandatory reproductive health and menstrual literacy into national primary school curriculums.

National Data Tracking Systems: Collaborating with civil society networks to build robust tracking frameworks that register and support vulnerable, out-of-school girls who are often left behind by multi-sectoral planning.

Executive Commentary

"Menstruation is a normal, natural biological process, yet millions of Ghanaian girls continue to pay a tax on their dignity every month," stated the Executive Director of CAFAF-Ghana. "We cannot build a or a prosperous nation when a quarter of our future female leaders are forced to choose between their education and their basic bodily needs.

CAFAF-Ghana is fully committed to breaking the silence, upgrading school infrastructure, and turning period equity into an undeniable reality across our country."

About Community And Family Aid Foundation-Ghana (CAFAF-Ghana)

Community And Family Aid Foundation-Ghana is a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the health, educational access, and socioeconomic welfare of vulnerable women, children, and families across rural and peri-urban Ghana.

# # # ENDS # # #
Media Contact:

The Communications Directorate
Community And Family Aid Foundation-Ghana (CAFAF-Ghana)
Accra, Ghana

Email: [email protected] |

Website: www.cafafghana.org

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