A hundred and fifty female students in selected senior high schools in the Ashanti Region over the weekend benefited from a girl empowerment conference organised by Exponential Education.
The not for profit organisation specializes in training programs targeted at academics and other social oriented initiatives that train students to be responsible citizens, effective leaders and agents of social change.
The women’s conference was held under the organisations girl Leadership Empowerment Action Program at the Ejisu Model School under the theme “the power of overcoming obstacles to find your voice to change the world.”
The event was attended by female students of the Ejisu model school and their mentors from the Ejisuman Senior High School, the Mofratro preparatory school mentored by the Asanteman Senior High School and the Antoa Basic School accompanied by female students of their mentor institution Antoa Senior High School.
Women mentors drawn from academia, private business and public service took turns to encourage and motivate the girls about how they can overcome obstacles, find their voices and cause the changes they desire.
The students heard compelling stories from Mrs Evelyn Agambire with the Ghana Statistical Service, Mrs. Mary Owusu a clinical microbiologist, Mrs Jemima Adu-Asamoah entrepreneur and senior area sales executive for a global career company called Aramex and the Ashanti Regional Girls Education Director Nana Pokuaa Domfeh.
The students, who were put in large and close group sessions, had the opportunity to ask questions and share their views to inspire one another.
Some Senior High School students who spoke to Ultimate News shared how the Girls LEAP program has challenged and transformed them
A student who said she was aspiring to pursue biomedical science in the university admitted that, “I used to feel shy when I stand before people to speak but through this girls leap, I am now confident and able to do things that I wasn’t able to do.”
“I have learnt to be independent and not to give up no matter the obstacles I meet. Through Girls LEAP I feel free when talking and I am more relaxed to share my views and it’s great,” Another student who wants to be a nutritionist told Ultimate News.
A Junior High School student was elated she had been sensitized to dress appropriately to depict honour.
Programs manager with Exponential education Camille Adkins-Rieck indicated that the program has already begun posting successes after reaching out to eight schools with membership of some thirty to sixty students each.
She told Ultimate News’ Ivan Heathcote – Fumador, “I’ve had some teachers tell me that they have noticed that their students who are enrolled in our programs have been speaking out more in class academically and that’s really exciting. Also, our SHS Girls LEAP chapter members have gone on to seek leadership positions in their schools with the skills they have gained from our programs.”
Programs associate Fergal Turner said Exponential Education found need to extend its focus more on gender equality and leadership training for its students even though it was originally concentrated on helping SHS students tutor Junior High School students struggling in English and Mathematics.
The vision of EXPO has evolved to promote leadership especially among SHS students and we figured out that you cannot do that without addressing issues of gender equality in schools. The Girls LEAP started to teach them the real issues. It makes them realize their rights, builds their self esteem and then it helps them mentor their juniors in the JHS and then to build their own community action projects.”
Ashanti Regional Girl’s Education Director with the Ghana Education Service, Nana Pokuaa Domfeh told Ultimate News the service is excited about the benefits such programs bring to female empowerment within schools.
“We are in favour of programs like these because it is about girls. It is very encouraging because they can pick a cue from what they heard from the panel to learn hard and become all they want to be come in future,” She commended.
The Girls Leap Manager Grace Marfo assured that the program will be extended to cover more students considering the good reports Exponential Education is receiving for its work among the female students.
Photos:
By: Ghana/Ultimatefmonline.com/106.9FM/Ivan Heathcote-Fumador
The post A/R: Maiden Expo Girls LEAP Women’s conference empowers 150 students appeared first on Ultimate FM.
A hundred and fifty female students in selected senior high schools in the Ashanti Region over the weekend benefited from a girl empowerment conference organised by Exponential Education. The not for profit organisation specializes in training programs targeted at academics and other social oriented initiatives that train students to be responsible citizens, effective leaders and […]
The post A/R: Maiden Expo Girls LEAP Women’s conference empowers 150 students appeared first on Ultimate FM.
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