By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Kusanaba (U/E), June 9, GNA – ActionAid Ghana (AAG), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has held the fifth edition of its annual Young Female Platform (YFP) conference at the Kusanaba Senior High School (KUSEC) in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region.
The YFP model was started in 2009 to address the broad challenge of low participation of women and girls in leadership and decision-making, and introduced in the Upper East Region in 2019.
It operates in nine schools, including two selected communities with Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the Region.
The conference, brought together stakeholders, members of the platform from Senior High Schools (SHSs) and PWDs, on the theme: “Bold voices, equal spaces: Empowering girls for transformative leadership.”
Addressing the conference, Mr Yakubu Akuka, the Regional Programmes Manager of AAG, said the platform adopted mentoring and modeling approaches for young girls in SHSs to deliberate on various development and governance issues.
He noted that the young girls, particularly deliberated on issues that affected their growth, education and development, and that of women in general, especially PWDs.
“Through this platform, young women are able to analyze social issues that affect women, carry out advocacy, make informed choices, offer solutions and get their voices heard.
“The YFP also serves as a launch pad for young girls with qualities, skills and ambitions to build their confidence, skills, competencies and knowledge that enable them to participate effectively in decision making in their schools, communities and beyond,” he said.
The Programmes Manager added that the YFP was also a step towards increasing more young women capabilities to assume leadership positions at all society levels.
He said even though Ghana had a youthful population of about 58.9 percent under the age of 25, the voices of girls and young women were largely missing from decision-making tables, adding that while progress was made in Ghana in gender parity in basic education, stark inequalities persisted.
“In the Upper East Region, 31 percent of girls are married before the age of 18, cutting short their education and leadership potential. Nationally, adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 are twice as likely to be out of school compared to their male counterparts,” he said.
Mr Akuka noted that the barriers girls faced were often deeply entrenched in patriarchal norms and societal inequalities, saying “Many girls, especially in rural and marginalized areas are denied the opportunity to complete their education or pressured into early marriages.”
He said education played a transformative role in breaking the barriers, as it equipped girls with knowledge, confidence, and opportunities that opened doors to better future.
“When girls are educated, they are more likely to delay marriage, live healthier lives, and contribute economically and socially to their communities,” he said.
Recognizing this, the Programmes Manager said ActionAid placed significant emphasis on ensuring access to quality, gender-responsive education.
He indicated that from the establishment of girls’ clubs in schools to campaigning against school-related gender-based violence, ActionAid’s efforts were designed to make education a reality and a right for every girl.
Madam Alice Ellen Abeere-Inga, the Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Special Guest of Honour at the conference, called on policymakers to make girls-focused policies a norm in policy formulation.
Madam Abeere-Inga told the young girls, “You are not just the future leaders, you are leaders in formation. Do not let anyone mute your voice, shrink your vision, or dim your light. Target what you have in your mind and follow it.”
GNA
Edited by Fatima Anafu-Astanga/Christian Akorlie