Public Agenda (Accra)
Mahama Zakaria
5 September 2008
Tamale — The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris has described girl child education as a misunderstood and controversial development concept.
"I see the issue of girl child education as an issue of gender and development which has been a key issue of the 21st century development concept. Yet, it remains one of the misunderstood and controversial development concepts," He said recently.
He regretted that within the African setting, development initiatives remained the preserve of the man. He made the remark at the opening of a one-week girls' exposure camp in Tamale organized by Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), a non-governmental organization, in collaboration with Ghana Education Service Girl Child Education Unit. The camp sought to create unity and teamwork among girls in the region to facilitate their education, protect them and empower them to escape poverty.
He noted that the role of most women today in development ends with bearing of babies and offering catering service at home. And they are often regarded as not making any contribution to development. They are also considered a waste of time and other resources.
The Minister mentioned that one key remedy that has been identified to address gender inequality and therefore bridge the gap between the men and women to bring about a holistic development, is affording the girl child quality, affordable and sustained education.
"I am happy to note that (CAMFED) work is mainly geared in this direction and I have been made aware that through their bursary programs when they pick a girl they see the person through school for all the years she spends in secondary school. This would go a long way to help us curb the problem of the low retention rates of girls in school in the northern region."
He expressed hope that the girl camp will spur on the other beneficiaries who are not pulling there weight to do so. He was also happy with the opportunity afforded the girls to see beyond their horizon.
Mrs. Dolores Dickson, Head of Programs of CAMFED, on her part said the girls' exposure project was aimed at encouraging girls to take whatever they did serious since attaining education at their age was very crucial for their future.
She stated that the over one hundred and fifty girls were brought together from almost all the districts across the region to enable them learn and interact with their pees, role models and experienced people to know what it takes to live a meaningful and responsible life in adulthood.
He stated that CAMFED also provided bursary to needy girls in upper primary and Junior High Schools to be able to pay their school fees where applicable, as well as, sew school uniforms and acquire relevant stationery to ensure they stay in school, learn and progress in their educational career.
CAMFED also provides funds and grants to school heads and school management committees to support children who are at risk of dropping from schools due to lack of some basic needs.
Mrs. Dickson stated that sixty schools are benefiting from a term grant of one hundred and ten Ghana Cedis (GH¢110).
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