First Lady Launches Mentorship Program for Girls in La and Teshie

General News on Friday, May 31, 2019

Source: ghananewsagency.org

2019-05-31

Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady, on Thursday urged parents to ensure that their daughters attend school or acquire a vocation allowing them to be better placed in society.

She said that when girls reach formal education, they are able to do "something better with their lives and therefore define a better future that would improve their social life".

According to Ms Akufo-Addo, the free SHS currently underway in the country was enough ground for all girls of school age to enroll in school.

She said that those who, for one reason or another, could not go to school should take advantage of her "Because I Want to Be" initiative and learn a vocation that would make them more responsible adults in the world. ;to come up.

Ms. Akufo-Addo spoke at the launch of the "Because I Want to Be" initiative in the Teshie and La communities of Greater Accra Region.

The initiative is a mentorship and skills program, offering skills such as hairdressing, fashion design, makeup, catering and mentoring for out-of-school and school-going girls.

It was implemented by the Rebecca Foundation in collaboration with UNFPA in selected communities in the Greater Accra region, including the Jamestown, Bukom, Chorkor and Prampram regions.

The First Lady said that the Rebecca Foundation has decided to launch the program "Because I want to be an initiative" to help girls earn their trust and help them reach the highest level of society, whether they go to school or that they acquire a vocation.

She explained that as a mother, she expected girls and boys to go to school and acquire knowledge and skills that would put them on a pedestal that would speed up their schooling. global development.

She added that since education is important, parents should make sure that their boys and girls stay in school to develop their intellect.

Ms. Erika Goldson, UNFPA Deputy Representative in the country, said the girls' mentoring program was part of her organization's mission. They therefore saw fit to partner with the first lady, who was implementing "hard-hitting" programs to improve the lot of children and women in the country.

She said free education in Ghana's elementary and secondary schools was a laudable program, adding that the offer was "an extraordinary thing any country can offer to its people."

Ms. Goldson urged community members to support the "Because I Want to Be" program so that girls and society can benefit from it.

Dr. Bernard Oko Boye, MP for Ledzokuku County, and Evelyn Twum Gyamera, Municipal Executive Directors, all applauded the mentoring initiative and pledged their support.

At the launch of La, Mr. Vincent Sowah Odotei, MP for La Dadekotopon, described the Girls Initiative as an excellent program that would bring a lot of comfort and enlightenment to the girls in the riding.

He also announced his support for the initiative, noting that he would create local structures that would help identify girls in need of help.

The program has attracted many members of the community, including: leaders and elders from both communities who have committed to supporting the program.