NCCE Encourages Girls to Pursue Their Dreams to Contribute to Nation Building

The Abuakwa North Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service celebrated International Girl Child Day. The theme was “Invest in Girls’ Rights; Our Leadership, Our Well-being”. The programme took place at the Pentecost Church, Akyem Old Tafo bringing over 20 schools together with cultural display, poetry recitals, and choreography.

Ten schools from the Old Tafo circuit were involved; Aboabo M/A School, Anyinasin Presby Basic School, Anyinasin Methodist Basic School, Old Tafo Presby Basic Schools, Old Tafo Methodist Basic School, Zion Basic School, Old Tafo International School and Bright Future Primary School.

Resource persons were the Abuakwa North Municipal Director NCCE, Beatrice Nyarkoah; the Municipal Director for Education, Madam Abena Gyamea; the Headmistress of the Abuakwa North Special School, Mrs Charity Yaa Out; the Pentecostal Women’s Group in Abuakwa North. Also present were media personnel from NoPras 107.5; teachers from selected schools, some parents, and the public.

Beatrice Nyarkoah Budu stressed that education is the number one way to invest in the girl child because the girl child is mostly seen to be only good in the kitchen and that must be a thing of the past. She emphasised that every girl child is a scientist as all that happens in the laboratory happens in the kitchen.

The Director also drew attention to certain practices that must be reformed. She educated participants that girls also must pursue careers in Building Technology and Agriculture Science and boys must pursue areas like Culinary Arts, Hairdressing, and Fashion Design so that gender equality education and sensitization are achieved. Parents present were urged to pay attention to the girl child's interest and encourage them to aspire higher in life.

Moreover, their opinions in section 11 of the Children’s Act (Act 560) must not be overlooked, because it will aid in boosting the confidence level of the girl child as they journey through life.

The Abuakwa North Municipal Director of Education, Mrs Abena Gyamerah called for concerted efforts from all segments of society to help eliminate all forms of harmful cultural practices, such as early child marriages, child discrimination, teenage pregnancy, sexual and gender-based violence that continued to hinder adolescent girls from growing to attain their full potentials in life.

The Head of Ofori Panin Senior High School (OPASS) Special School Unit, Mrs Charity Yaa Out, who doubles as Deputy Director of Education in the Abuakwa North Municipality pleaded with parents who give birth to physically challenged children not to leave them in the house thinking they are non-entities. She pleaded with them to stop using the word “nsuo ba” because they are physically challenged and should enroll in special schools in order to build them.

Mrs. Christina Obenewa expressed the love the Church of Pentecost has for the girls in this country and said, “We are mothers and we always want our girls to be specially trained in education so that they will be in higher positions in Ghana here as men do”. She pleaded with the students to take advice from their teachers and parents so that they can become better leaders in future

Special awards were given to the most outstanding girls from every school in the Municipality, which motivated them.