The Community Aid for Rural Development (CARD Ghana) under the She Leads initiative hosted a transformative event titled “She Leads Girls Meet Up with Mentors” at the Wa Senior High Technical School Assembly Hall. The initiative brought together over 200 girls from four senior high schools, Wa Technical Institute, Wa Senior High Technical School, Wa T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS, Islamic Senior High School, and Methodist School for the Blind, as well as girls from the Kperisi and Sagu communities.
The event aimed at empowering young girls through mentorship, education, and practical guidance on key issues affecting their lives.
Importance of Mentorship for Girls,In her opening remarks, Miss Ernestina Birey, Acting Executive Director of CARD Ghana, emphasized the significance of mentorship in shaping the future of young girls.
“Empowering young girls through education and mentorship is essential in preparing them for leadership roles. At CARD Ghana, we believe that mentorship initiatives like She Leads provide girls with the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to make informed decisions and take control of their future,” she stated.
On Youth and Peaceful Elections,Mr. Victor, the Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), highlighted the critical role of youth in ensuring peaceful elections. He urged the girls to become ambassadors of peace and responsible citizens in their communities.
Advocating for Girl Child Education,Pognaa Amamata, the Municipal Girl Child Coordinator, underscored the importance of education for girls, describing it as a fundamental tool for personal and societal development.
“When you educate a girl, you are educating an entire community. Education opens doors for girls and empowers them to challenge societal norms that limit their potential,” she noted.
Addressing Sexual Harassment and Forced Marriages,DSP Adongo, Regional Coordinator of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), spoke on the dangers of sexual harassment and forced marriages.
“Every girl deserves to grow in a safe environment, free from abuse and exploitation. We must stand together to protect our girls from harmful practices that violate their rights and dignity,” he emphasized.
Inspiring Dreams and Overcoming Challenges, Miss Hattie, the Upper West Regional representative for the 2024 Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB) pageant, encouraged the girls to believe in their dreams.
“Your dreams are valid. No matter the challenges you face, stay resilient, take responsibility, and work towards making your dreams a reality,” she urged.
She shared her personal journey of overcoming obstacles to achieve her goals, inspiring the girls to defy the odds and strive for excellence.
Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health, Representatives from the Adolescent Reproductive Health Center educated the girls on sexual and reproductive health, emphasizing the importance of making informed choices to safeguard their well-being.
Empowering Girls through Life Skills, The event also featured insightful sessions on leadership, resilience, and career development led by experienced mentors, including Madam Felicia of Dream Support Foundation, Miss Hidaya, Miss Lillian, an entrepreneur, and Miss Shamira. They shared strategies for turning adversity into opportunity and navigating campus life with confidence and purpose.
Dramatic Performance on Gender-Based Violence, A highlight of the event was a powerful drama performed by students from Islamic Senior High School. The play depicted the struggles faced by girls in confronting gender-based violence and offered solutions to combat these challenges.
Advancing Girls’ Rights and Influence, The She Leads initiative is a network of girls and young women working to create positive change in their communities. With a vision to ensure that government and societal groups address the concerns of girls and young women (GYW) in laws, policies, norms, and practices, the initiative aims to increase the sustained influence of girls and young women in decision-making processes.
The program is being implemented in the Upper West Region by CARD Ghana with funding and support from Plan International Ghana.
Impacting Lives for a Brighter Future,This event marks another step forward in CARD Ghana’s mission to empower young girls to become agents of change, transforming gender norms and influencing both formal and informal institutions. Through mentorship, education, and advocacy, She Leads continues to equip girls with the tools they need to lead, thrive, and make meaningful contributions to society.
Story by Bra Ike
