CAMFED supports over 738,000 young girls in Ghana with bursaries

The Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED Ghana) has achieved a major milestone as it has supported 738,312 young girls with bursaries since its inception in the country in 2003.

The bursaries provided covered tuition, school uniforms, textbooks, and other essential learning materials, enabling girls from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend school and complete their education.

This support formed  part of  efforts  towards addressing gender disparities in education and empowering young women.

The Executive Director of CAMFED Ghana, Fairuza Abdul-Rashid Safian who disclosed this, added that a total of 36,364 enterprises have also been supported to expand their operations so far.

AGM

She was speaking at the opening of the 2024 National Annual General meeting in Tamale, on the theme "Advancing the CAMFED Guide Programme; Progress review,key learnings and strategic next steps".

The meeting brought together CAMFED association members, champions, partners and various stakeholders to discuss the Guide Programme and identify the collective and specific strategic next steps for successful implementation.

It also provided a platform for them to take stock of their activities, share experiences and formulate a work plan for the ensuing year.

Support system 

In her remarks, Mrs Safian said over the next six years, CAMFED intends to implement a comprehensive support system targeted at the most marginalized girls and enable young women to transition to secure livelihoods.

"Level two of our new strategy is our post-school and transition programmes. 

To enable this, happen, we are implementing a Guide Programme comprising the Leaner Guide, Transition Guide, Business Guide, and Agriculture Guide" she said. 

Additionally, she said CAMFED would continue to support its association to develop a foundation of support for young women and a Pan-African movement of young women leading advocacy to break down barriers for girls and women at community, national a international levels.

While urging all stakeholders to continue to support CAMFED Ghana to empower young girls, Mrs Sufian reiterated her outfit's commitment to complementing the efforts of government to expand access to quality education for all Ghanaian children.

Personal growth 

For her part, the Chief Executive Officer of CAMFED International, Angline Murimirwa, said the organieation works closely with local communities, schools, and partners to identify the most vulnerable girls who would otherwise be unable to afford education. 

She said CAMFED’s impact goes beyond just providing financial support, but it also focuses on mentorship, leadership development and creating a network of alumni who continue to support the next generation of students.

For his part, the District Director of Education for Wa West, Ametus D Tug-uu lauded CAMFED Ghana for initiating interventions which were transforming the lives of vulnerable people in the country.

Such interventions, he said, were complementing the efforts of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the provision of quality educational for all.

Writer's email:mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.gh