By Michael Teye Amartey
The former Member of Parliament for Fanteakwa South, Mr. Kofi Okyere-Agyekum, has made a strong case for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in education to shift their attention towards boys’ education, warning that illegal mining—known locally as galamsey—is forcing many boys out of school.
According to him, more priorities are given to the girls child education than the boys, adding that most of the pupils dropping out from school, especially from the mining communities, are boys.
He made the case when addressing the Women Empowerment Economic Freedom and Girls’ Mentorship Programme launch at Akyem-Hemang in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region as part of activities to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day.
The programme launched by Nancy Assor Asiedu—Amrado Foundation was aimed at inspiring girls in education and empowering women economically.
The initiative attracted women and girls at Akyem-Hemang and neighbouring towns, including Dome and Gyanpomani. More than one thousand customised exercise books were distributed to the girls, while Veronica buckets, gallons of liquid soap, and perfumed softeners were given to the participating schools to promote personal hygiene in the schools to prevent cholera disease.
The women were also trained in the production of local liquid soap and perfumed after-wash detergents. The former Member of Parliament for Fanteakwa South, Mr. Kofi Okyere-Agyekum, in his remarks, commended Assor’s foundation for the project, as it will go a long way to alleviate poverty in the area.
He called on all stakeholders to speed up efforts to achieve the gender equality agenda in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer of Assor’s Foundation, Mrs. Nancy Assor Asiedu–Amrado, said her major goal is to give back to her community where she was nurtured; hence the introduction of this foundation to empower the women through this mentorship programme to achieve their dreams. She urged the men in the community to support women to enable them to become economically viable.
The Chief of Akyem Hemang, Osabarima Mirrikissi Okasu Apori Atta, lauded the initiative and urged the founder of the foundation not to rest on her oars but continue to work with more communities until all women and girls are able to attain financial independence.
