By Muyid Deen Suleman
Kumasi, Sept. 23, GNA – Hajia Fairuza Abdul-Rashid Safian, the Executive Director of the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), has stressed the need to place girls’ education at the forefront to unlock their full potential and contribute meaningfully to national development.
She pointed out that, educating the girl-child had far-reaching benefits such as delayed marriage, improved child health outcomes, and greater economic empowerment, and there was the need help them achieve these goals.
Speaking at the launch of the 2026 CAMFED Convening at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Hajia Safian said CAMFED continued to make significant strides in promoting girls’ education and strengthening the leadership and resilience of young women.
She said the organisation was working relentlessly to reduce poverty and eliminate inequalities through girls’ education and youth empowerment.
This year’s Convening is being held under the theme: “Learn, Thrive, and Lead,” and it is expected to attract 791 young women from 44 districts across Ghana, who would be empowered to create pathways for educational access, skills training, and mentorship, particularly, for girls in rural communities through targeted sponsored programmes that enable them to attain economic independence.
Hajia Safian reiterated CAMFED’s support package, which covered tuition, accommodation, stipends, and other academically related expenses, to ensure the participants could pursue their education without financial strain.
She observed that when young women were afforded quality opportunities for education, they were able to develop their capacities, build confidence, and emerge as responsible leaders.
While expressing concern about challenges facing girls, such as early marriage, limited family support, and restrictive societal expectations, she disclosed that CAMFED engaged parents and families to help them understand the program
She said CAMFED was a Ghana-based non-governmental organisation committed to advancing girls’ education and equipping young women to become responsible, productive citizens.
She said all the 791 marginalised young women attending the event from various tertiary institutions, were carefully selected through community processes across 12 regions.
Hajia Safian pointed out that, CAMFED in its broader mandate, south to tackle poverty, inequality, and injustice by supporting girls from childhood through to adulthood, adding that, the purpose was to encourage young girls to develop their full potential.
Ms Charity Maame Ekua Adupong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Meannan Foods, urged participants never to surrender their aspirations, saying, they must persist in the pursuit of their future goals.
She also called on the government to increase investment in logistics for small and medium-scale enterprises.
Some of the beneficiary young women expressed deep gratitude to CAMFED for alleviating the financial burden of their education, and appealed to the organisation to continue expanding its support.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/ Christabel Addo