Process to amend Guides and Scouts Act to commence soon

The Guides and Scouts Act of 1969, NLCD 399 will soon be subjected to a comprehensive review and possible amendment.

The law was enacted by the government of the National Liberation Council some 49 years ago to regulate the activities of both the Ghana Girl Guides Association (GGGA) and the Ghana Scout Association (GSA) which were forbearers in the youth movement and youth development at the time.

The proposed review and amendment are intended to make the aims, vision and mission of the two associations more relevant in what has become dynamic era.

These came up for discussions when the visiting Chief Executive of the World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts (WAGGS), Anita Tiessen paid courtesy calls on some state officials in Ghana.

The delegation included a Member of the Board of WAGGS, Ana-Maria Mideros ; the Africa Regional Director of WAGGS, Alphonsine Kabagabo ; Chief Commissioner of the Ghana Girl Guides Association, Juliana Ofori-Kissi and the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Girl Guides Association, Zakiya Wahab.

The first point of call was at the Judicial Service where they were received by an Appeals Court Judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, a former Guide herself.

While lauding the advocacy role of the association over the years, Justice Lovelace-Johnson urged the association to step-up efforts to ensure the right of the girl-child in particular and the youth in general are well safeguarded.

At a meeting with the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Dr Alfred Oko Vanderpuijie, Mrs Ofori-Kissi reiterated the desire of the association to extend its presence to public schools and communities as an inclusion strategy.

The Accra Mayor in response described as discriminatory the association’s concentration in private schools and pledged to facilitate a greater co-operation to ensure more public schools are involved in the activities of the Girl Guide.

“As the city authority, we want to build an efficient, youth friendly city and we are determined to do with this with young people and this is why the involvement of the Girl Guide is critical”, Dr Vanderpuijie said.

The delegation later held discussions with the Minister for Youth and Sports, Nii Lante Vanderpuijie who described the Girl Guides Association as an important partner for change and youth development.

He said government places premium priority on youth issues and is doing its best to ensure their future are safeguarded.