Young and Lonely Foundation (YLF) has unveiled the findings of its Gender Model Family (GMF) Review Meeting Report, showcasing how community-driven education and empowerment are transforming households across Agona West Municipality and Gomoa Central District in Ghana’s Central Region.
Over 3,900 community members participated in GMF activities from March to June 2025, learning how gender equality, shared decision-making, and access to quality healthcare strengthen family resilience and improve community well-being.
Key Impacts at a Glance
- 3,948 participants engaged (1,857 adults 20–45 yrs, 1,128 older adults 45+, and 963 adolescents 11–19 yrs).
- 73 new Gender Model Families (4 members per family) established across 10 communities.
- 87 community members visited health facilities following GMF interventions.
- 43 women independently chose family planning services, a major shift in household decision-making power.
- 2 women joined Community Health Management Committees (CHMCs), amplifying women’s voices in health governance.
These outcomes mark progress toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) in Agona West Municipality and Gomoa Central District in the Central Region of Ghana.
Addressing Gender Model Families in Agona Kojo Armah in the Agona west Municipality on the Patients’ Charter
Challenges Identified
Despite these achievements, YLF found key challenges that require urgent attention:
- Limited availability of medicines and essential health services.
- Competing economic demands reducing family participation in GMF education sessions.
- Negative perceptions of some health workers affecting trust in healthcare facilities.
- High transportation costs to health care facilities discouraging access to care in rural communities especially in Agona Bobikuma, and Agona Nkranfo.
Our Advocacy and Next Steps
YLF is engaging policymakers, community leaders, and partner organizations to:
- Improve caregiver-patient communication in health facilities through quarterly workshop training.
- Expand community outreach through free health screenings and NHIS registration in communities within Agona West Municipal and Gomoa Central District.
- Provide seed funding / support to GMF groups to ensure sustainability.
- Advocate for increased investment in primary healthcare at the local level.
Presentation of community findings to Agona Bobikuma Health Center Staff as we address how to increase access to healthcare
Success Story of Change
Madam Monica Eduful, a GMF participant, shared her transformation:
“Because I now understand the Patients’ Charter, I asked questions about my condition, and the caregiver responded kindly. I was so impressed that I recommended a friend to use the Agona Bobikuma Health Center.”
Her story is one of many that demonstrate how empowered families are reshaping health-seeking behavior and demanding accountability from the health system.
Why Support Matters
YLF’s GMF initiative is proving that change begins in the family. With additional support, we can:
- Expand from 10 communities to cover more districts in the Central Region.
- Train more Gender Champions to sustain community learning.
- Scale up data systems to measure long-term health and gender impacts.
Your partnership can help us reach thousands more families. Together, we can ensure that no woman, no child, and no family is left behind in accessing healthcare and equality. https://youngandlonely.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/09/YLF-GMF-Review-Meeting-Report-Sept-2025.pdf
About Young and Lonely Foundation (YLF)
Young and Lonely Foundation (YLF) is a non-profit organization based in Agona Swedru, Ghana, dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities, especially women and children, through health, education, gender equality, and sustainable development programs.
Connect with us through http://www.youngandlonely.org and together we can create a just world without vulnerable children.