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Mentor young girls to attain dreams, aspirations – Ms Darkoa Newman
Ms Newman (arrowed) with other participants after the event
The Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP), Ms Dakoa Newman, has urged women in higher positions to mentor young girls to achieve their dreams and aspirations.
According to her, young girls need mentorship and someone to serve as role models to shape their lives to become better women in future.
The Minister made this known at an event held in Accra to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child 2024 on the global theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future.”
Organised by the Department of Children under MoGCSP, the International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
She noted that the ministry was committed to helping children achieve their dreams, however it was important to show respect to their parents and elders in the community.
Also, the Minister encouraged the girl-child to cultivate a strong spiritual foundation, fearing God and trusting in His divine plan to help shape her future and make her a responsible adult.
The Programme Officer for Adolescent Development and Participation at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Ms Grace Akua Gyan-Darkwa, emphasised the importance of investing in the girl-child as a way to secure a better future.
She stated, “When girls are educated, healthy, and safe, they are empowered to contribute to their communities and the economy.
At UNICEF, we believe in the power of girls to develop innovative solutions to the world’s challenges.”
Ms Gyan-Darkwa highlighted UNICEF’s commitment to advocating for the rights and empowerment of girls, which she believes would unlock their creativity and energy to drive positive change.
Furthermore, Ms Gyan-Darkwa urged the general public to listen to girls’ voices, invest in their education, and provide platforms for them to lead.
The Chief Director at MoGCSP, Dr Afisah Zakariah, acknowledged the courage, resilience, and hope demonstrated by girls despite numerous challenges.
“It is our collective responsibility to listen to their voices, invest in their education, and provide them with platforms to lead. Let us work together to create a world where every girl can contribute to a brighter, more equitable future,” she said.
Panel discussions featuring influential women from various organisations reinforced these messages, encouraging girls to be determined, focused, and confident.
By Cecilia Lagba Yada & Emmanuella Akimbi
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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