Meet Naina J.M.D: The 9-year-old inspiring young girls through literacy and empowerment

When most people think about a nine-year-old child, they imagine school assignments, playground games, and weekend activities.

For Ghanaian-British author Naina J.M.D, those experiences remain an important part of childhood. Yet alongside them, she is pursuing a personal mission: using storytelling to encourage literacy, confidence, and personal growth among young readers.

Naina is the creator of Girl Power Diaries™, a children's book series designed to help girls navigate friendships, family relationships, emotions, self-confidence, and the everyday experiences of growing up.

The first title in the series, Sister Love, is scheduled for release in October 2026 through AMPLE Publications.

What began as an idea for a story has gradually evolved into a broader vision centred on literacy, creativity, and youth empowerment.

"I wanted to create stories that girls could connect with," Naina explained. "Everyone has challenges, makes mistakes, learns lessons, and grows. I wanted children to feel understood when they read the books."

Unlike many children's books developed entirely by adults, Girl Power Diaries™ is written from a child's perspective, allowing readers to engage with experiences that feel familiar and authentic.

The project reflects a growing recognition of the importance of social and emotional learning in childhood development. Themes such as empathy, resilience, communication, self-awareness, and confidence are woven throughout the stories.

Beyond publishing, Naina hopes to use the platform to encourage reading, writing, and creative expression among young people.

Future plans include school engagement programmes, literacy initiatives, educational activities, and opportunities designed to help children discover the value of their own ideas and voices.

Educators continue to emphasise the importance of literacy as a foundation for lifelong learning. Reading strengthens communication, creativity, critical thinking, and academic development while also helping children better understand themselves and others.

For Naina, books represent more than entertainment.

"They help people learn, imagine, and understand different experiences," she said. "I hope children who read my books will be inspired to create something of their own."

In addition to writing, Naina actively participates in academics, mathematics competitions, music, sports, and a range of educational activities.

Supporters of the project believe her journey demonstrates what can happen when young people are encouraged to pursue their interests with commitment and purpose.

As Girl Power Diaries™ prepares for its official launch, Naina J.M.D. is emerging not only as a young author, but also as a growing advocate for literacy, creativity, and youth participation in the arts.

Her story serves as a reminder that meaningful ideas can come from any age—and that empowering young voices may be one of the most important investments society can make in the future.