Hello beautiful girl,
Today is your day. And I have something important to tell you.
You are a leader. Right now. Not tomorrow, not when you are older. Today.
This year’s theme is “The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis.” I know that sounds big, but let me tell you what it really means. It means YOU. Your voice. Your ideas. Your strength. They all matter.
Two days ago, I became a lawyer. It was a dream I have had since I was young. I also hold a degree in Psychology and Adult Education an MPhil in Clinical Psychology, and now my LLB and Bar qualification. Today, I work at Ghana Digital Centre helping to shape our digital future. But you know what? I am just like you. I was once a girl with big dreams and lots of questions. They used to call me “the little Adwoa” when I started contributing to national discourse. Today, I am not the little Adwoa anymore, but the Deputy CEO of a national company contributing to shaping our digital narrative.
The difference is, I never stopped believing.
You Are Stronger Than You Think
Maybe life is hard right now. Maybe school is tough. Maybe things at home are difficult. But here is what I know about you: you are incredibly strong.
Every day you wake up and keep trying, you are leading. Every time you help someone, you are leading. Every time you refuse to give up, you are leading.
That strength inside you? Ghana needs it.
Your Education Changes Everything
I know school can be frustrating sometimes. But please, please keep learning. Your education is your power. Nobody can take it away from you.
Every book you read, every question you ask, every lesson you learn is building your future. You deserve to be in that classroom. You deserve to dream about university, about amazing careers, about changing the world.
Because you absolutely can change the world.
You Can Lead Right Now
You do not have to wait until you grow up to make a difference.
Help a younger child with homework. Speak up when something is unfair. Share what you know. Be kind when others are not. Stand up for another girl who needs support.
That is leadership. And it starts today.
To the Girl Facing Hard Times
If things are really difficult right now, I see you. I believe in you.
You might be dealing with problems that feel too big. You might be scared or tired or worried. But you are still here. You are still trying.
That is not just survival. That is courage. That is strength. That is leadership.
Please reach out for help when you need it. Find one trusted adult. One teacher. One friend. You do not have to do this alone.
What You Need to Remember
Where you come from does not decide where you are going. You can change your story.
You can be a lawyer and a clinical psychologist like me. You can work in technology. You can be a doctor, an engineer, a scientist, a businesswoman. You can even be President. And here is the beautiful part: you can be all of these things and still be completely yourself.
Your voice matters. When you speak, people should listen. If they do not, speak louder.
You belong everywhere. The classroom, the science lab, the computer room, anywhere you want to be. You belong there.
My Promise to You
I promise to keep fighting for your education and your opportunities. Through Ghana Digital Centres, I promise to create the right environment for digital innovation and entrepreneurship. I promise to help harness Ghana’s digital potential by driving innovation and creating opportunities for young people like you. I promise to create spaces where you can learn, grow, and lead in technology. I promise to be proof that your dreams are real and possible.
But you must promise me something too.
Promise me you will believe in yourself, especially when it is hard. Promise me you will keep learning. Promise me you will help other girls. Promise me you will never let anyone make you feel small.
One More Thing
Right now, you have something special inside you. A gift that only you have. An idea that only you can bring. A solution that Ghana is waiting for.
So keep going. Study hard. Dream big. Be brave. Learn from your mistakes. Ask for help when you need it. Support other girls. Stand up for what is right.
You are already enough. And the change you will lead? We are all waiting for it.
I believe in you completely.
With love,
Christine Ansong ESQ
Deputy CEO, Ghana Digital Centre | Your Biggest Supporter
P.S. You are not too young. You are not too small. You are exactly who Ghana needs. Keep going.
