By Akosua Frema Frempong
State Experimental M/A Basic School One in Kumasi has held a durbar to commemorate this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.
The event was observed under the global theme: “Elevating Girls’ Voices for Sustainable Development”. Activities lined up for the event included poetry recitals, choreography, a cultural display, a talk and experience sharing.
The program was sponsored by the Gaderens Initiative. The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually by United Nations member countries to promote the empowerment of girls in realising their human rights and to encourage citizens to take action by engaging government officials, policymakers, and stakeholders in making more targeted investments to address the inequalities experienced by girls.
The day is also celebrated to help address the unique challenges and barriers encountered by girls in achieving their future ambitions.
The durbar, organised by State Experimental M/A Basic School One in Kumasi to mark International Day of the Girl Child, was supported by The Garderens Initiative, a not-for-profit organisation based in Kumasi. The headmistress of State Experimental M/A Basic School One, Madam Joana Anokyewaa, said girls deserve the same opportunities as boys to reach their full potential, and the school is working assiduously to achieve it.
According to her, the transformative power of the voices of girls and their persuasive leadership skills create positive change in society.
“Girls continue to face numerous challenges, from limited access to education and healthcare to discrimination and violence, and these obstacles hinder their full potential. Indeed, when our investment in the Girl child is able to transform their lives, I assure you that the nation will spend very little resources fighting unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, child marriage, and child prostitution. I’m calling on the government and non-governmental organisations to invest heavily in the girl child by creating opportunities through providing quality education, focusing on STEM and critical thinking, creating safe spaces for self expression and empowerment, as well as offering mentorship and fostering leadership opportunities and participation in decisionn-making,” Madam Anokyewaa emphasised.
The Executive Director of The Gaderens Initiative, Dr. Gertrude Aboah, said it is important to address the social determinants that affect mental health and hinder girls from reaching their full potential.
“Our view of mental health is that it is not only about having a mental disorder, but it is about allowing the girl-child to reach their full potential and becoming everything they are meant to be. We also tackle the social determinants that affect mental health, such as lack of opportunities and gender inequality. That’s why we chose to support the programme to empower them for thier voices to be heard and know that it is possible to realise their full potential,” Dr. Gertrude Aboah explained.
In a keynote address, a Senior Nursing Officer, at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, KATH, Mad. Marilyn Mawusi Ama Azumah, acknowledged the potential embedded in young girls that they need to be helped to discover. “The purpose of the programme is to remind girls to know that they are special and they are capable of doing anything they set their minds to do. They need to pay attention to know who they are as individuals, explore talents, and overcome their low self-esteem,” Mad Marilyn Zumah indicated.
The Girls’ Prefect, Juliana Sarkodie appealed to the government and all stakeholders to make the issues of girl child a priority and create an enabling environment to make it easier for the girl-child to thrive.