By Caleb Kuleke
Ho, Sept.13, GNA – The 2026 Adolescent Mentorship and Empowerment Camp (AMEC) has successfully ignited the dreams, aspirations, and confidence of young girls across the Volta Region.
Organised by the Volta Regional Directorate of the Department of Gender, the initiative has inspired participants to believe in their own potential and explore a world of new possibilities.
The impactful programme was organised with support from Global Affairs Canada, and brought together 60 adolescent girls from 30 Basic and Senior High Schools across seven districts in the Volta Region.
The three-day event provided a safe and vibrant platform for the young girls to acquire new knowledge, build self-confidence, be inspired, engage in open dialogue, and freely express themselves on issues affecting them.
Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister commended the Department of Gender for dedicating time, expertise, and resources to the initiative.
The Minister described the camp as a critical investment in the future of both the Volta Region and Ghana as a whole.
Mr Gunu noted that the true success of the camp would be measured by the transformed lives of the participants.
He highlighted that the experience would inspire better decision-making, encourage the pursuit of new opportunities, and raise a generation of courageous, confident young women ready to shape their own destinies.
Mr Gunu challenged the girls to return home with a profound understanding of their self-worth and capabilities.
The Minister urged them to never allow their current circumstances to define their ultimate destiny.
He cautioned them against internalising negative stereotypes, advising them never to believe they were less capable simply because of their gender, nor to let fear silenced their voices.
The Minister reminded the girls of their fundamental rights to dream, learn, and be protected from violence, abuse, and exploitation, emphasising their right to make informed choices about their own future.
Mr Gunu inspired the participants to see themselves as future leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, innovators, educators, and public servants who could drive positive societal change.
True empowerment, Mr Gunu noted, went beyond merely receiving opportunities; it required the courage and discipline to maximise them, urging the girls to actively practice everything they had learned during the camp.
He charged them to stand up for themselves and one another, support their peers, speak out against violence and harmful traditional practices, stay committed to their education, seek positive mentors, and make responsible decisions.
The Minister encouraged the participants to serve as ambassadors for mindset change within their schools, homes, and communities, demonstrating the powerful impact of knowledge, confidence, and positive mentorship.
Turning to the broader community, Mr Gunu emphasised that raising and empowering adolescents was not the sole responsibility of the government.
This is a shared national duty, he said, urging all citizens to be active participants in development rather than passive beneficiaries.
Mr Gunu urged the girls to protect their future, utilise their voices boldly, and turn their knowledge into action, confidence into leadership, and dreams into achievements.
He reminded them that Ghana and the world needed their unique ideas, talents, and leadership for positive transformation.
Madam Adjoa Nyanteng Yenyi, the Programme Specialist for Adolescent and Youth Development at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ghana, also spoke on the critical importance of investing in youth empowerment.
She reminded the participants of the vast opportunities awaiting them, assuring them of their immense capabilities and encouraging them to dream big without self-imposed limits.
Madam Yenyi urged the girls to use their newly acquired knowledge to positively influence their peers, helping to create a ripple effect of empowerment and sound decision-making among youth.
Reaffirming the UNFPA’s mission, she stated that the organisation believed in unlocking the potential of every young person, regardless of their location.
Madam Yenyi pledged UNFPA’s continued commitment to supporting the Volta Region in developing youth potential and empowering adolescent girls.
Mrs Thywill Eyra Kpe, the Volta Regional Director of the Department of Gender, urged the participants to reject any limitations placed upon them.
Speaking on the topic: “Changing Mindset: Your Determination Breaks All Barriers,” she reassured the girls that they possessed the innate ability to achieve whatever goals they set their minds to.
Mrs Kpe encouraged the participants to remain teachable, noting that equipping themselves with knowledge was essential for navigating life’s challenges and making the right choices.
She explained that the camp’s theme, “Changing Mindsets: Empower, Unlock Potential, Break Barriers for a Sustainable Future for Girls,” was intentionally chosen to transform the mindsets of the youth and pave the way for long-term empowerment.
The Director implored the participants to avoid distractions that could derail their dreams, specifically warning against compromising their futures for boys or men.
She called on Girls’ Education Officers to continually mentor, encourage, and empower adolescent girls so their ultimate aspirations could be realised.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Christabel Addo