Action Aid Calls For Fight Against Gender Discrimination

Mr Kwame Afram Denkyira, Programme Officer of Action Aid Ghana in-charge of Education, has called on the public to prevent discrimination against gender to facilitate girls education. He reminded the public of the Children�s Act which is against discrimination on the grounds of gender and Children�s Right to education and well�being. Mr Afram made the call when addressing Girls� Camp for girls from Asutifi North and Asutifi South districts at Hwediem. The camp on the theme �Aspire to Inspire� was attended by 50 pupils selected from 25 communities in the two districts. It focuses on the right to promote right to non discrimination, right to safe and non violent environment to ensure that girls have right to quality learning and teaching to develop their talents, personality and mental abilities. Mr Afram said 180 girls in the two districts had, for the past three years, benefited from the camp and contributed to the promotion of girls� education in the area and most of them are in second cycle institutions. He said development was not about individual growth or collective incomes, fair access to material resources and markets but also about increasing the capacity of people to improve on their living standards in the society. �Research has indicated that programmes directed to children�s education are more effective than any other community investment in the developing world,� Mr Afram added. Mr Afram said quality education was the key to national economic development, improved health, empowered the youth and create political stability. He said non prioritization of girls� education by parents, teenage pregnancy and non availability of separate sanitation facilities were some of the major factors contributing to high school drop-out among girls in schools. Mr Afram said Action Aid Ghana was collaborating with other stakeholders to invest in children especially girls� education to ensure that children access the right information to be more assertive on their rights in education to take their appropriate position in society. He said women constituted more than 50 per cent of the population in Ghana and their knowledge and contributions are needed in national development. Madam Doris Naana Marfo, Head Mistress of Bomaa Senior High School and a former National Best Teachers, advised the girls to learn hard to achieve their aims and aspirations in life. She urged them to refrain from peer pressures and not be involved in immoral acts. Nana Afia Serwaa Ampem, Apenimadi Queen Mother ,urged the girls to dress decently in order not to attract men for unwanted pregnancies to curtail their education. She urged them to focus in their studies and practice hygiene to continue their education to higher levels.