Adolescent girls undergo training in life choices

More than 500 adolescent girls from the Greater Accra and the Central regions are attending a three-day girls’ camp in Accra.

Dubbed “Virtuous Ladies Conference”, the programme is aimed at exposing the girls to some challenges that are peculiar to their age such as teenage pregnancy, menstruation and peer pressure among other issues.

Organised by Compassion International, a child-centred non-governmental organisation, the camping programme brought together female achievers and women ministers to mentor the adolescent girls on life choices, as well as how to handle pressure from both men and their peers.

A former Director of the Institute of Continuing and Distance Education, University of Ghana, Professor Kate Kowa Adoo-Adeku, said teenage pregnancy was a national canker which needed to be addressed with policies.

She also called on parents to ensure that they provided basic needs for the girl-child so that she would not look for them elsewhere.

Prof. Adeku further called for teenage education for both girls and boys in schools.

Living virtuous lives
A pastor with the Assemblies of God Church, Pastor Mrs Florence Ama Bentil, who addressed the opening session, said purity should be their key word.

She called on the girls to wait on the Lord, who in his own time would glorify Himself in their lives.

Pastor Mrs Bentil admonished them to lead virtuous lives and impact on their generation positively.

She also reminded them that there was time for everything and that now was the time for their books.

The Programme Implementation Manager of Compassion International, Pastor Mrs Florence Sena Amponsah, in a welcome address, said the programme was to provide a platform to explore the significance of a girl’s life.

She said the camp was aimed at building the spiritual development of the adolescent girl, her academic life, as well as reproductive health.

According to her, when the adolescent girl was given such a head start, she was able to make good life choices in future.

The Country Director of Compassion International, Mr Padmore Baffour Agyemang, called on the girls to concentrate on their academic pursuits and do away with things that would take them away from their future dreams.

Other speakers to mentor the girls during the three-day programme include Dr Joyce Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries; Mrs Victoria Ofosu Neequaye, a marriage counsellor; Mrs Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, a judge of the Court of Appeal; Mrs Joyce Ofori-Akyea, a midwife; and Mrs Naomi Chartey-Odonkor, a revenue oficer of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Customs Division.

Writer's email: rebecca.quaicoe-duho@graphic.com.gh