BY: Shalom Lumor | Voltaonlinegh.com |
The Global Women Development Promoters’ (GLOWDEP) in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, in the Central Tongu District, has marked this year’s International Day of the Girl Child with a symposium under the theme, “Empowering girls for a brighter tomorrow”.
Addressing the gathering, the Central Tongu District Assistant Director of Education in charge of Supervision, Mr. Gershon Aba, challenged the girls to rise above things that prevent them from achieving their dreams in the future.
He said, since education is now accessible, the onus lies on them to learn hard to pass their exams. He said even though he knows most of them might be going through some challenges, they must persist and make it to the end.
“You need to be disciplined and persistent. Commitment and perseverance will help you complete your education successfully,” he noted.
Speaking on the theme on behalf of the country director of GLOWDEP, Madam Evelyn Agblese said, there was the need to help empower the girl child against the obstacles placed before them by some socio-cultural practices.
She noted that, the reduction in teenage pregnancy cases in the district in 2019 was due to the various intervention programmes carried out by stakeholders such as GLOWDEP and the District Assembly in schools, communities and radio sensitization sessions, hence marking days such as International Day of the Girl Child is another opportunity to impact the lives of the children in the district.
Madam Agblese also called on parents and stakeholders to help empower their children especially the girls in order to enhance development in their various communities.
“It’s, therefore, our responsibility as parents to try instilling moral or religious values in our children, for with proper guidance, it becomes easier for them to learn successfully and not commit mistakes and contribute effectively to national and Community development.”
“A holistic approach is required in order to address teenage pregnancy cases, parents cannot do it alone, the call is going to all stakeholders to join in the fight against boys and young men, to stop harassing our girls now”.
Also contributing to the symposium, a retired Educationist, Madam Bernice Broom challenged teachers and caregivers, to become good role models for the school children.
“Our teachers here must know that these children need mentors and role models and you must be ready to help them out, you must mentor them,” she stated.
She advised girls and women present to take advantage of the day to create awareness among the male gender to join the campaign in empowering girls for a brighter tomorrow.
The symposium saw school children from Methodist Junior High School, Girls Model School and EP Junior High School participating as panelists for the discussion.
The International Day of the Girl Child is commemorated on the 11th of October every year, to raise awareness on issues affecting girls globally.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
