By Caleb Kuleke
Ho, Oct. 13, GNA – Students from OLA, Mawuli, and Mawuko Girls Senior High Schools (SHSs) in Ho, have appealed to politicians to ensure that this year’s election is free from violence.
They also urged them to conduct their campaign based on ideas devoid of insults and acrimony, knowing that Ghana is the only country we have.
The students, who made this appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Ho, to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, stressed that it was the duty of all citizens to ensure the safety and security of the country.
Ghana’s theme for this year’s celebration of the Day is “Unite for Peace” as the country is in an election year.
The Day is marked every year to raise awareness about girls’ issues, promote girls’ education, health, and empower girls to reach their full potential, address gender- based violence and discrimination
The students also implored their fellow girls to avoid staying in “toxic areas as there are toxic influences, especially from their peers” so they could focus on their education.
Earlier, the students had discussion on some radio stations including with support from Plan International Ghana, where they encouraged the citizens, especially the youth not to be used by any politician to cause mayhem.
Ms Afful Jessica Nana Adwoa of Mawuli SHS entreated all and sundry to safeguard the prevailing peace of the country and also protect the rights of the girl child.
She urged society to ensure that girls were included in activities that would empower them to reach their full potential.
Ms Rosalyn Jamila Asante from OLA SHS, called on traditional authorities to sensitise their community members on the need to maintain peace at all times so that the gains made by the country would not be destroyed through violence.
She appealed to the Government to develop comprehensive measures that ensured that every girl in rural areas had access to quality education.
Ms Fafali Grace Mottey from Mawko Girls SHS asked parents to support their girl child and avoid discouraging them from the pursuit of their dreams.
She charged her fellow girls to create a safe space for themselves and eschew acts that had the potential to jeopardise their future and retard the development.
Mr Israel Akrobortu, Volta Regional Director, Department of Children, thanked Plan International Ghana for providing the girls with the opportunity to discuss topical issues.
He told the GNA that girls constituted the most vulnerable group in society, thus giving them the platform to speak to stakeholders on issues concerning them was paramount.
He said the Department would be hosting a programme for some girls from selected Senior High Schools in the Ho Municipality, inviting accomplished women to speak to them.
GNA
