Reality TV series on adolescent health, family planning premiered
The Ghana Health Service (GHS), in partnership with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has premiered Season three of Lucky Trip, a Ghanaian reality TV series that sheds light on adolescent health and family planning.
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The series, which is part of USAID's Ghana Accelerating Social and Behaviour Change (ASBC) campaign, would also promote healthy behaviours, and lifestyles and address the social and economic determinants that influence the well-being of people.
The premiere took place in Accra and brought together representatives from GHS, USAID, CFAO by Suzuki, and Lifebuoy.
Commitment
The Deputy Director for the Health Promotion Division at the GHS, Mabel Anim, highlighted the service’s commitment to fostering health-conscious behaviours through the media.
"Through mass media and TV programmes, we enlighten Ghana's population about essential health behaviours," she explained.
She added that her outfit believed in the traditional confines of health education.
"We aim to make healthy living attractive and, dare I say, 'trendy'.
How do we do this? By leveraging the influence of prominent Ghanaians who are celebrities but role models for our youth.
"Through the captivating narratives and authentic journeys of these celebrities on Lucky Trip, we aim to instil the notion that healthy living is not just a choice, but a statement of empowerment," she stated.
Health
Furthermore, she said that Ghanaians were living in an age where the convergence of media and health is not just an option, but a necessity.
"Our society faces unique challenges, and to address them, we must forge equally unique and powerful alliances.
Today's partnership exemplifies that spirit of unity and innovation.
"As we move forward, let us remember that health is not merely the absence of illness; it is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.
Through endeavours like the Lucky Trip TV show, we break barriers, challenge norms, and pave the way for a healthier, brighter future for our beloved Ghana," she said.
Adolescent
"The episodes will shed light on vital topics like adolescent health and family planning.
We will learn important health messages, but in a way that makes it real to all of us," noted the Acting Health Office Director of USAID Ghana, Dr Stephen Dzisi.
According to the spokesperson for Sacrefilms, the production company of the TV series, Mawule Messan, "Lucky Trip originated from the idea of connecting celebrities with their authentic selves to inspire the youth as it takes viewers on a visual journey through Ghana while addressing health challenges and providing solutions," he said.
Lucky Trip
The project forms part of USAID’s commitment to helping Ghanaian youth adopt safe health behaviours that will ultimately improve public health.
It features Ghanaian actors like James Gardiner, Roselyn Ngissah, David Osei and Elikem the Tailor.
During each episode, unsuspecting riders catch a ride with a celebrity, engaging in a conversation about important public health issues.
