Lydia Anokye (middle)
A registered nurse at St. Mary Hospital in Drobo, Lydia Anokye, has launched ” Let the Girl Child Learn,” a pioneering non-governmental organisation (NGO) at the Faaman community near Drobo to help transform lives in the Jaman South Municipality of the Bono Region.
Let the Girl Child Learn’s mission is to advance girl child education and empowerment.
Lydia said the initiative stems from her work in the neonatal intensive care unit, where she observed a troubling pattern: many preterm and asphyxiated babies were born to teenage mothers aged 15-19.
The registered nurse recounted how her investigation into the issue revealed a widespread lack of awareness about the importance of girl child education in local communities.
“Some parents believed that even if their daughters completed basic and senior high school, there would be no resources to support further education.
“Many opted to have their girls start families early instead,” Lydia explained.
The nurse said, driven by her findings, she began educating the community on how an educated girl could transform not just her life but her entire community.
According to Lydia, her dedication led to her selection for the Community Engagement Exchange program in the USA, where she honed her leadership skills to support her vision.
She indicated that upon her return, she partnered with key stakeholders, including Nana Ferkaa, the Girl Child Coordinator, and the Jaman South Municipal Directorate of Education to bring the initiative to life.
Mrs. Agnes Afefa Nyaku-Aziliko, the Director of Education for Jaman South Municipal, emphasized the collective effort required to achieve the initiative’s goals.
“Lydia cannot do this work alone. Teachers cannot do this work alone. It requires the entire community to step up and support keeping girls in school and meeting their basic needs,” Mrs. Nyaku-Aziliko stated.
She commended Lydia for expanding her role as a nurse to become a champion for education.
The event was graced by Emlyn Lee, founder of the Brave Communities in USA and the Coordinating Director of the Tachiman Municipal Assembly, Charles Ferkah.
By Ernest Kofi Adu