Publications

Every year, International Women’s Day (IWD) serves as a global reminder to recognize and advance women’s rights, contributions, and leadership. This year’s theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” calls on all of us to prioritize equity, inclusion, and systemic change to improve the lives of women and girls. At ARHR, we recognize […]

“No-bed syndrome” is not a new phrase in Ghana’s health system. It is a long-standing and deeply troubling crisis that continues to cost lives. In 2018, following the death of 70-year-old Prince Anthony Opoku-Acheampong, who was reportedly turned away from seven major health facilities over claims of “no beds”, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, then Director-General of […]

Ghana stands at a critical demographic moment. With a large and youthful population, the country’s social and economic future will depend significantly on how well it supports young people to make informed and autonomous decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Although Ghana has made notable progress in expanding education and health […]

For decades, Ghana has made steady progress in the fight against HIV. Expanded access to testing, treatment, and public education has helped save thousands of lives. Despite these gains, HIV remains a major public health concern, one that continues to affect families, communities, and the health system. Recent data from the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) […]

Female genital mutilation (FGM) remains one of the most persistent and harmful violations of the human rights of women and girls. Rooted in deeply entrenched gender inequality and unhealthy social norms, FGM cuts across cultures, religions, and socioeconomic groups. Despite decades of global advocacy and measurable progress, the practice continues to endanger millions of lives, […]

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day presents us with a unique opportunity to emphasize that health is a right, and not a privilege. This is critical because for millions of people, that realization is far from reach. The 2025 commemoration theme clearly reveals the huge challenge many people continue to face in accessing health care and […]

Ghana has joined the global community to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. As expected, the period was marked by speeches, campaigns, public education, and renewed conversations about the dangers women and girls face in their homes, workplaces, and communities. This year’s discussions rightly expanded to include violence in digital spaces, an […]

Have you ever paused to check your breasts and wondered what you would do if you felt a lump? Have you thought about when you last went for screening, or if you even knew where to go for the screening? For many women, these simple questions carry fear, uncertainty, and sometimes silence. October is Breast […]

Introduction Family planning is crucial to empowering women, enhancing their health, and promoting national development. In Ghana, awareness of contraception is almost universal, yet patterns of use, unmet needs, and decision-making dynamics reveal a more complex reality. Drawing on insights from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), this article explores the progress made, […]

What would it mean to live in a world where everybody, every choice, and every identity is respected without question? For countless women, girls, and young people, that vision is still far from reality. Stigma, restrictive cultural norms, and policy gaps continue to create barriers that deny them access to essential sexual and reproductive health. […]