By Edward Dankwah,
Accra, Oct. 10, GNA – Mrs Olivia Bosompemaa, the Regional Coordinator of the Girl Child Education Unit, Greater Accra Education Directorate, has called on girls across the country to identify who they are, recognise their potential, and refuse to be held back by societal limitations.
She said girls must challenge societal norms, push boundaries, and empower themselves by building strong networks and supporting one another to drive the positive change they collectively aspired to achieve.
Mrs Bosompemaa was speaking during the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child in Accra, under the theme, “The Girl I am, the Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis.”
It was organised by the Schools Outreach Ministry (SOM) of the Church of Pentecost (COP), in collaboration with the Women’s Ministry, Sakumono Area and the Girls Education Unit of the Greater Accra Education Directorate.
Mrs Bosompemaa said for a very long time, girls were not regarded as “full human beings” in society, since they were denied the right to quality education, information about their health, and their freedoms were often trampled upon.
She said this year’s theme was particularly fitting as it emphasised the importance of recognising the critical role girls played in navigating challenges and creating positive change.
Mrs Bosompemaa highlighted that girls possessed inherent qualities such as strength, resilience, leadership, problem-solving skills, and wisdom, and it was the duty of society to create an enabling environment that nurtured these potentials.
She emphasised that GES was already leading efforts in this direction through its initiative, ‘Girls for Leadership’, which encouraged schools to conduct leadership elections where girls could be elected as head prefects rather than always serving as assistants to boys.
She empowered girls to pursue courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), traditionally viewed as male-dominated fields, to ensure they could contribute meaningfully to national development.
“We want to assure the men and boys gathered here that these initiatives are to support your efforts, not replace them, and also bridge the gender gap and foster collective growth”
“Let us listen to and amplify girls’ voices, see them as leaders of today and tomorrow, and invest in their potential,” she stressed.
Mr Frank Mensah Tando, Coordinator, SOM, said the Ministry considered this as a very significant day, one the Church could not be left out of.
“We therefore came together to commemorate it, recognizing the many challenges young girls face. As a church, we felt it was important to create awareness about the plight of the young girl and to contribute meaningfully to her empowerment,” he added.
He said one of the Church’s greatest assets was the Word of God, which guided, inspired, and transformed lives.
The Coordinator said through it, they have been able to help the young people discover their identity and worth in Christ.
He said young girls must believe in who God had created them to be, to understand that they do not need to change themselves to fit societal expectations instead, they should cultivate their God-given potential and develop every gift within them to become the best versions of themselves.
Mr. Tando said challenges were part of life’s journey, and that when they encountered difficulties, they must continue to draw strength from God and motivate themselves to keep rising above every obstacle.
“The vision of the Church is to possess the nations, and in pursuing this vision, we are committed to nurturing the young girl with Christian values, kingdom principles, and a strong sense of purpose to impact society positively,” he stressed.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei