By Seth Danquah
Adiembra (W/R), Oct. 12, GNA – Professor Gladys Ama Quartey, a Deaconess of the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) – Takoradi, has charged students of Adiembra Senior High School to set goals for their future and work diligently towards them.
She gave the advice when the Women’s Ministry of PIWC – Takoradi marked the International Day of the Girl Child with the school.
Speaking on the 2026 global theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” and the church’s local theme, “Investing in the Health, Safety and Empowerment of Every Girl Child,” Prof Quartey described girls as pillars of society.
“Girls are pillars that adorn the palace. God has a purpose for both boys and girls. Girls need to be nurtured,” she said.
She expressed worry over the prevalence of child marriage, noting that statistics indicated that one out of five girls is forced into marriage before age 16.
“Marriage is hard work, so early marriage does not help anyone. It is important to take your time and marry to earn your own money as a woman. The gentlemen should take their time and not rush to have sex before marriage,” she advised.
“Control yourself. Early marriage has consequences. It is not only about sex, but there are emotional and financial responsibilities that come with it. Early sex can introduce you to health issues as well.”
Challenging the students to live with purpose and purity, she quoted Daniel 1:8 and said: “Make a choice not to have sex with boys until you marry, as a girl like Daniel who purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king’s food.”
She also highlighted the drop-off of girls in higher education, observing that while there were more girls than boys in Senior High Schools, the reverse was true at the tertiary level.
“This means that most girls are not able to continue their education into tertiary education,” she lamented.
The Assistant Headmaster of Adiembra SHS, Mr Philip Bukari, in his welcome address, said the celebration was about the future of the girl child.
“We are celebrating the future, dreams and potentials of the girl child. Your background does not determine your future. Your choices and commitments do. When you empower a girl, you educate the whole nation,” he stated.
As part of the programme, Deaconess Mrs Sarah Agyapomaa Agyemang, a nurse, took the girls through menstrual hygiene, explaining that menstruation was a natural and healthy biological phenomenon.
She taught them how to calculate their menstrual cycle and advised them to maintain good personal hygiene.
The event, which also featured sharing of the gospel, ended with an interactive session and prayer with the students.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Benjamin Mensah