Dream Big First Lady Tells Girls

First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo with girls

First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo has encouraged Ghanaian girls to be big dreamers.

Mrs Akufo-Addo, in her message to Ghanaian girls during the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, said “Today, we can all commit to support girls to dream big and secure a better future. We can enable girls to go to school and stay the course. Education is the foundation of our development.”

The International Day of the Girl Child was under the theme, “With Her; A Skilled Girl Force.”

She reiterated the Rebecca Foundation’s commitment to promoting girls’ education in partnership with other stakeholders.

“Together, we can help put a stop to child marriage, reduce high dropout rates for girls and end sexual and all other forms of violence against girls,” she told school girls who paid a courtesy call on her at the Ridge Office.

 

Girls’ Power March

In a related development, school children in Accra marched through some principal streets of the city to raise awareness on girl child education.

The over 200 school children from various schools such as  St. Mary’s Anglican Primary School, Accra Royal Primary School, Independence Avenue Basic School, St Barnabas Anglican Basic School, Bishop Girls Basic School and Adabraka Presby Junior High School (JHS), participated in the walk to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

Addressing the school children after the march, Florence Ayisi Quartey, acting Director of the Department of Children, Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, organizers of the walk, said the theme for the celebration was apt because some societies still fail to see the importance of educating the girl children and providing them with the relevant training to enhance their economic viability.

“In every society skilled labour are in high demand, as it comes with high enumeration but unfortunately most women do not fall under this category due to the lack of requisite skills.

She averred that to address the situation, young girls need to be equipped with employable skills to increase their employability.

Ms Quartey said, “We are working alongside all girls and key stakeholders to expand existing learning opportunities, chart new pathways. We are calling on the global community to rethink how to prepare them for a successful transition into the world of work.”

Leticia Garr, Deputy Director in-charge of management and supervision at the Accra Metro Educational Unit, called for a system that would nurture the skills and intellect of girls.

“To the girls gathered here, believe in yourselves and know that hard work is the key to success,” she added.

 

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

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