By Caleb Kuleke
Ho, Sept. 14, GNA – Dr Agnes Naamomo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, has emphasised that Ghana’s quest to achieve its 2034 gender-equity targets must begin now through deliberate efforts by families, schools, mentors and institutions to create opportunities for girls.
She said the attainment of the targets required a sustained national commitment to ensure that no girl was left behind.
According to the Minister, empowering women and girls was not simply about supporting a particular demographic group but was essential for unlocking the country’s full human potential.
Dr Lartey made the remarks in a speech read on her behalf by Mrs Thywill Eyra Kpe, Volta Regional Director of the Department of Gender, at the 2026 Adolescent Mentorship and Empowerment Camp (AMEC) in Ho.
The event was held on the theme: “Changing Mindsets: Empower, Unlock Potential, Break Barriers for a Sustainable Future for Girls.”
The camp was organised by the Volta Regional Directorate of the Department of Gender with funding support from Global Affairs Canada and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The programme brought together 60 adolescent girls selected from 30 basic and senior high schools across seven districts in the Volta Region.
Dr Lartey said Ghana could not afford to wait until 2034 to prepare girls for leadership positions.
She noted that the country had made a historic commitment through the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in decision-making positions.
The Minister explained that the implementation framework of the Act sets progressive targets of 30 per cent women’s representation in decision-making positions for 2024 to 2026, 35 per cent for 2027 to 2028, and 50 per cent by 2034.
She said many of the girls currently in school would be among those expected to occupy leadership positions by 2034, making mentorship and empowerment critical to their development.
“Our work is anchored in the national commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, including the Revised National Gender Policy 2025–2034, the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, and other national frameworks protecting the rights and welfare of women, children and vulnerable groups,” she said.
Dr Lartey said the Revised National Gender Policy provided a framework for advancing women’s empowerment, leadership, economic opportunities, access to justice and the transformation of harmful gender norms.
She noted that initiatives such as AMEC helped translate national policies into practical outcomes by equipping girls with knowledge, skills, and confidence.
The Minister encouraged the participants not to allow their current circumstances to limit their ambitions, stressing that their backgrounds and financial situations did not define their future potential.
She assured them that opportunities would emerge and urged them to develop the courage and resilience needed to take advantage of them.
Dr Lartey advised the girls to dream big, pursue knowledge, seek mentorship, use their voices confidently and never be afraid to assume leadership responsibilities.
She said structured mentorship programmes helped build self-confidence among adolescent girls, while exposure to women leaders broadened their aspirations, strengthened advocacy skills and expanded career opportunities.
The Minister further emphasised that equipping girls with leadership skills was essential for building a strong pipeline of future leaders, while protecting them from violence safeguarding the nation’s human capital.
She urged mentors and facilitators to maintain relationships with the girls beyond the camp and continue to guide, encourage and support them to realise their full potential.
Dr Lartey also challenged the participants to become ambassadors of positive change by speaking out against discrimination and violence, supporting their peers, prioritising their education, using technology responsibly and building strong professional networks.
The camp provided participants with the opportunity to explore topics including sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, gender-based violence, academic excellence, career development, assertiveness, advocacy, leadership and digital skills.
Mentors and facilitators shared personal experiences and encouraged the girls to remain focused, reminding them that success often involves overcoming challenges, disappointments, and setbacks.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah