WHO, FAO and partners advance safeguarding efforts through PRSEAH training in Ghana

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) convened a training on the Prevention and Response to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PRSEAH) in Accra as part of efforts to strengthen safe accountable implementation Ghana's Pandemic Fund Project.

The training brought together approximately 50 multi-sectoral professionals from government institutions, academia, civil society organizations and disability advocacy groups to deepen understanding of safeguarding principles and reinforce a culture of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in health emergency and development settings.

Participants represented institutions including the Veterinary Services Department, the Coalition of NGOs in Health, academia (University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology), civil society organizations, and persons with disabilities.

As Ghana advances implementation of the Pandemic Fund Project, the training highlighted the importance of integrating safeguarding measures into all interventions. Pandemic preparedness and response activities often involve direct engagement with communities, including vulnerable populations, making strong protection systems essential to prevent abuse, strengthen trust, and ensure equitable access to services.

The training also aimed to align implementing partners with global safeguarding standards while strengthening accountability mechanisms across sectors. By equipping delivery partners and civil society organizations with the tools to identify, prevent and respond to SEAH risks, the initiative contributes to ensuring that Pandemic Fund-supported interventions uphold human rights, gender equity and the protection of marginalized populations.

Facilitators used participatory approaches including group discussions, experience sharing, role plays, case studies, and creative activities such as string exercises. Sessions addressed the global and personal rationale for preventing SEAH, victim-centered approaches and child safeguarding, and the consequences of SEAH at individual, organizational, and community levels.

Participants expressed strong commitment to integrating PRSEAH principles into their work. "PRSEAH is not a women's issue but a societal concern affecting both men and women, with repercussions across education, health, the economy, governance, and community cohesion", Dr William Tasiame, Lecturer, KNUST, Kumasi.

Mr. Alhasan Suleman, President of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (Upper West Region, Wa), welcomed the inclusiveness of the training and emphasized the importance of ensuring persons with disabilities are part of safeguarding conversations and interventions.

"It is encouraging to see persons with disabilities included in discussions on PRSEAH. Trainings like this help ensure that everyone, especially vulnerable groups, are protected and empowered to speak up against abuse and exploitation," he said.

A female participant emphasized: "PRSEAH principles must become part of the way we work every day. From our policies to community engagement activities, we must create safe, inclusive environments where everyone feels protected, respected and empowered to speak up"," Ms. Joana Polley, President, Ghana HIV and AIDS Network, Accra.

By embedding safeguarding principles into everyday operations, implementing partners are helping to build resilient health systems rooted in accountability, trust and protection for all.