Three stakeholders, The National Population Council(NPC), The Ghana Health Service(GHS) and the U.S. Agency for International Development's Accelerating Social and Behavior Change (USAID-ASBC) have partnered to support the media launch of

popular Ghanaian young adult TV series by Farmhouse Productions, 'YOLO'(YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE).

Dr Leticia Adelaide Appiah, Executive Director of the NPC in her speech said that the concept of the 'YOLO' series entreats everyone to choose knowledge, best practices and behaviors

that ensure living in the best way possible especially as "You live only once".

"It is quite disturbing to keep vital information and services from our young people forcing them to choose in ignorance amidst an abundance of information and best practices" she noted.

She added that such attitudes led to so many young people being left behind in the form of poverty, child marriage, teen pregnancy, illiteracy among others.

Dr Appiah further noted that instead of being afraid to equip the youth with the relevant information and services, it was rather necessary to reflect on attitudes, norms and values that would influence their choices.

Speaking to BusinessGhana after the launch, Dr Appiah said that the youth were the future and therefore should not be allowed to make decisions in ignorance, hence the NPC's support for 'YOLO'.

"We expect that the series will translate into change in mindset and behaviors for the better", she added.

The Director, Health Promotion Division of the GHS, Dr Dacosta Aboagye expressed his excitement at the impending launch of the series.

He noted his eagerness to see the representation of social, cultural and health issues from the perspective of young people throughout the country.

"This next issue will expand its setting to look at issues and situations that affect northern and southern audiences" he stated.

He also added that the programing would consider issues ranging from COVID-19, family planning and nutrition to social topics such as gender and disability inclusion.

Dr. Kofi Issah, who spoke on behalf of the Director General of the GHS said that the popularity of the 'YOLO' series was a testimony of the engaging and relevant

health and welfare content, dynamic storyline and very talented cast and crew it had produced.

"For us in the GHS, the 'YOLO' program is unique as it allows for open health discussion and information sharing opportunities to showcase how positive health messaging and programming could be topics for programing.

Dr Issah noted that the series would offer public health workers the opportunity to promote healthy behavior and approaches in a manner and shape that was both entertaining and relevant.

Joshua K. Ofori, Deputy Chief of Party-ASBC, addressing the media noted that the 'YOLO' followed the tradition of a series of quality entertainment and educational TV programs supported by USAID spanning two decades beginning with

"Things we do for love". He said that the sixth season would tackle relevant issues such as COVID-19 and family planning among others.

He described the series as a tool for approaching positive social and behavioral change in communities.

The launch was attended by cast and crew of YOLO, Ivan Quashigah C.E.O of Farmhouse Productions, Thaddeaus Pinnas, Acting Chief of Party ASBC and the media.

ABOUT:

YOLO (YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE) was set up as a sequel to the ever popular 'Things We Do For Love'.  

The Sixth season will premiere in late January 2023 with 13 episodes focusing on health areas such as malaria, maternal, newborn, and child health(MNCH), family planning and more.