Empowering the girl-child for national development

Recently, Ghana joined the global community in commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11.

It is imperative to reflect on the profound significance of this occasion.

The Day of the Girl Child serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to prioritise the rights and well-being of adolescent girls in our nation, who face numerous challenges that hinder their development and limit their vast potential.

Under the global theme for 2025, "The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis", we celebrate the courage and leadership of girls across Ghana, from the bustling streets of Accra to the savannahs of Bawku, who demonstrate remarkable resilience amid adversity.

Ghanaian girls face a myriad of daunting challenges, including child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and constrained access to quality education and healthcare.

According to UNICEF, almost 50 per cent of adolescent girls in Ghana suffer from anaemia, while over half do not complete secondary school. 

One in five girls is affected by child marriages and adolescent pregnancies – stark statistics underscoring the urgency of concerted action.

These challenges are further compounded by harmful cultural practices, poverty and systemic neglect, particularly afflicting rural communities.

Education emerges as a critical component in empowering girls. When girls are educated, they are better equipped to make informed decisions regarding their health, economic pursuits and social well-being.

Education enables them to contribute positively to their communities and national development. Initiatives such as the Ghana Education Service’s distribution of over six million sanitary pads to schoolgirls are commendable steps aiming to reduce absenteeism and promote girls’ sustained participation in education.

Empowering girls also necessitates providing them with economic opportunities.

Vocational training, mentorship programmes, and access to microfinance can equip girls with skills and resources, fostering financial independence and enabling their contribution to economic growth. 

Stakeholders – encompassing government, civil society and community leaders – have pivotal roles in crafting an enabling environment that promotes girls’ education, health and overall well-being.

The Daily Graphic underscores that investing in the future of girls is not merely a moral imperative but a sound economic strategy.

UNICEF estimates that every dollar invested in girls’ education can yield returns of up to $10 in economic growth.

By placing a premium on girls’ education and empowerment, the country can reap substantial economic benefits and forge a more sustainable future.

In tackling the issue, we call for enhanced access to quality education by ensuring girls have access to quality education, vocational training and skills development programmes.

It is also important that we provide girls with economic opportunities through microfinance and mentorship initiatives while strengthening protective laws and policies, especially by reinforcing laws against child marriage and sexual violence.

Additionally, the government must augment its budgetary commitments to girl-child programmes, promoting education, health and well-being.

Ghana has demonstrated commendable commitments to girls’ rights via international frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), CEDAW, and the Maputo Protocol, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). We must translate these commitments into tangible action.

Let us recommit ourselves to empowering the Ghanaian girl, sculpting a brighter future for her and our nation.

This demands collaborative endeavours from all stakeholders – addressing girls’ challenges, promoting their education and economic empowerment, and safeguarding their rights.

By unlocking the potential of Ghanaian girls, we enable them to emerge as leaders transforming their communities and our nation.

The resilience of our girls, leading change amid crisis, merits our unwavering support.

Let us champion their cause – for their empowerment is intrinsically Ghana’s progress. 

Investing in girls today cultivates a sustainable tomorrow – a future where Ghanaian girls lead with courage, contribute with capability and thrive with dignity.