By Eunice Hilda A. Mensah
Accra, May 12, GNA – Mr Andrew Botchway, President of the Scout and Guide Fellowship Ghana (SGF-GH), has called on government and corporate organisations to support them to prepare more children for leadership positions and responsible citizenship.
“We are an organisation established by statute, which means the government has a responsibility to support us. But the reality is, we receive little to nothing from the state. Our activities are almost entirely supported by individuals.
“And if companies can sponsor pageants and entertainment shows, surely they can support an organisation dedicated to building character and grooming future leaders,” he said.
Mr Botchway made the call at a three-day capacity building workshop for members of the Fellowship in Accra on the theme: “Empowering Scouts and Guides Leaders with 21st Century Skills to Equip Youth in Achieving the MDG 2&3 and SDGs 1–5.”
He explained that the biggest challenge of the Fellowship had been lack of funding support after the term of former President Jerry John Rawlings, adding that the support had drastically diminished over the years.
Mr Botchway said it was unfortunate how the energy and visibility of Scouting and Guiding had dwindled, hence the reason the fellowship existed to support, guide, and help rebuild the movement in the country.
The workshop, he said, was going to equip the leaders with 21st-century skills like critical thinking, discovery learning, teamwork, team building, and an understanding of technological advancements.
“These are the tools that will empower them to go back to their communities, energised and ready to make a difference,” he said.
Many schools today did not have Scout or Guide leaders, Mr Botchway said, adding that it was not because they did not want them, but because there was a lack of trained leaders with the capacity to lead effectively.
The workshop among many other interventions by the fellowship, he said would therefore close the gap and rebuild a strong foundation of leadership across the country.
Madam Sylvia Nicole Eshun, an International Commissioner, Ghana Girl Guiding Association (GGGA), said Girl Guiding was more than just an activity, but a human experience that nurtured the holistic development of girls.
To her, it was a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and purposeful growth, explaining that the vision of GGGA was to help girls identify their unique potentials and support them in developing the gifts so they grew into responsible citizens and confident leaders.
The programmes of GGGA, she explained were rooted in non-formal education, adding: “We don’t rely on traditional classroom settings. Instead, we create safe, comfortable spaces where learning is fun, creative, and relevant. Girls are encouraged to ask questions, express themselves, build relations, and most importantly, learn to live and live well.”
Madam Eshun said they accepted members as young as four years old, and believed in lifelong learning.
To help address modern needs of the GGGA, she said they had embraced digital learning and recently launched the “Self-Smart programme”, which focused on internet safety and responsible social media use.
“Through this, girls are guided on how to navigate the online world wisely, while also being encouraged to invite their peers and neighbours into our community to expand the impact of our shared values,” she added.
Ms Stephanie Birikorang, the Executive Secretary of the Scout and Guide Fellowship Ghana (SGF-Gh), said the workshop was also to strengthen the spirit of service, citizenship, and collaboration that had guided Scouting and Guiding across generations.
The capacity building initiative, she said was about equipping themselves with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to lead better, serve more, and impact lives.
As a Fellowship, she said they recognised that empowering their members, especially their adult volunteers and emerging leaders was essential for the sustainability and growth of the movement.
“Whether we are organising community outreach, mentoring young Scouts and Guides, or promoting peace and environmental stewardship, we must remain relevant, informed, and proactive,” she advised.
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