Royal Vine Foundation (RVF) LBG stands as a pivotal force in the serene landscapes of rural (underserved) Ghana. RVF LBG is an operational Not-For-Profit Organization founded under the leadership of Ms. Abigail Abboabea Ofori and a collaborative team. RVF LBG embraces a comprehensive and transformative approach to this non-profit initiative, to make a desirable and substantial impact. Our unwavering dedication is focused on catalyzing positive and substantive change, and fostering prosperous opportunities within underserved communities.

Our mission is clear: to tackle the pressing issue of rampant adolescent births that have cast shadows over the development prospects of rural communities in Ghana. The statistics are sobering across the regions in Ghana. Overall, the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) reported an alarming rate of about 10.6% of adolescent girls in Ghana getting pregnant in 2022. The United Nations Population Fund Ghana documented over half a million (542,131) adolescent pregnancies for adolescents between the ages of 15-19 years between 2016 and 2020. Within the same timeframe, adolescents of ages 10 – 14 years recorded 13,444 pregnancies. Not only are the figures alarming, they were accompanied by the looming risks of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Adolescent pregnancy is thus a national concern in Ghana.

The consequences of adolescent pregnancies are dire, affecting not only the young mothers but also their families and communities. Often, these adolescent mothers find themselves ill-equipped for parenting, trapped in a cycle of poverty, becoming school dropouts, suffering many forms of abuse, and malnutrition, among other dire consequences. The consequences ripple through society, increasing maternal and child mortality rates, crippling national development, just to mention a few.

RVF LBG is committed to breaking this cycle. Our quest towards uplifting underserved communities aligns seamlessly with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality) in Ghana. It is evident that our focus is not merely on addressing adolescent pregnancies by empowering adolescents, adolescent mothers and young women through skills development training, entrepreneurship, access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, mentorship, and education; we are also contributing to a broader vision of a more productive and equal society. For a desirable impact, we believe in keeping the scale balanced. Hence, gender equality should be practiced in the optimum way. We ensure that adolescent boys and young men are also part of the equation in our service delivery. Together, we strive to inform and educate all stakeholders about the challenges and far-reaching impacts of less-than-ideal conditions in which children are born.

Our intervention is strategic, targeting the most affected areas in Ghana, we design programs to meet community specific needs. Starting with the Akuapem North Municipality, where our Founder hails from, from 2012 to 2019, the Akuapem North Municipality alone witnessed a staggering 2,643 recorded adolescent pregnancies, resulting in 2,240 adolescent births (Akuapem North Municipal Health Directorate DHIMS). What’s more concerning is the unaccounted-for difference of about 403 pregnancies suggesting potential abortions or the relocation of pregnant adolescents to evade community stigmatization. We aim to equip adolescent mothers with the skills to start their own businesses, ensuring self-sufficiency and independence. Simultaneously, we empower the girl child and young women through skills development training, mentorship, entrepreneurship, knowledge acquisition, and educational support.

RVF LBG’s approach is all-encompassing, designed to be sustainable and beneficial for generations. We prioritize data-driven decision-making, incorporating Randomized Control Trials (RCTs), PESTEL analysis, SWOT analysis, and other research-based methodologies to effectively monitor, assess progress and refine our strategies.

We have forged partnerships with key stakeholders, including Government Institutions, Law Enforcement Agencies and Units, Healthcare Providers, Community Leaders, Business Entities, among others. These collaborations are vital in addressing the daily challenges faced by our beneficiaries and maximizing our impact.

Investing in our human resources is paramount, as we believe that a competent team is the key to efficient management, wise decision-making, and proper administration. Our communication systems, both internal and external, are continuously strengthened to foster collaboration and transparency.

Since our inception in 2013, RVF LBG has been tirelessly working towards its mission. We’ve witnessed the positive impact of our efforts, with tangible results like the significant reduction in adolescent pregnancies within our pilot groups. RVF LBG has been officially incorporated under The Companies’ Act 2019, Act 992, a testament to our commitment and dedication to our cause.