Girl-Child Day marked

A large number of girls at Gomoa Abonyin in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region took to the streets to mark the International Day of the Girl-Child which fell on October 11 this year.

The one-hour procession was organised by Plan International, Ghana, under its project ‘Because I am A Girl (BIAAG)’ campaign.

The day is celebrated worldwide to recognise girls’ rights and the unique challenges they face around the world.

Plan International, Ghana's Country Director, Mr Prem Shukla, in a speech read on his behalf by a representative, Mr George York, called on all partners, to as a matter of urgency, ensure that the gender equality dream was not overlooked.

He was sad that in spite of the positive laws and international conventions protecting the rights of girls and women, harmful practices had kept generations of girls from achieving their dreams.

Mr Shukla said although women had become presidents, prime ministers, scientists, and chief executives, millions of girls worldwide were still condemned to a life of poverty and inequality.

He pointed out that when resources were scarce, many families prioritised their sons and withdrew the girls from school, married them off early or made them spend a lot of hours on domestic chores.

Mr Shukla, therefore, stressed on the need to develop great ideas in a bid to ignite other girls to join in the struggle for gender justice in Ghana and around the world to ensure that they focused on their goals in life.

The Central Regional Minister, Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, who launched the Girl-Child Report in a speech read on his behalf by the Public Relations Officer of the Regional Coordinating Council, Mr David Painstil, said all girls must access their rights and be given the opportunity to achieve their full potentials just like boys.

He called on all partners to build a united front so as to change the world because it was in creating opportunities that the world would become a better place.

Mr Quansah commended Plan for their efforts and consistent support of the girl-child and their rights in the region.