The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has pledged to ensure that child protection in the Walewale Municipality is strengthened and given the attention it deserves.
He made the commitment during a visit by Beatrice Laari Dammigu, Speaker of the West Mamprusi Municipal Children’s Parliament, who, together with Plan International Ghana, called on the minister as part of activities marking the International Day of the Girl Child on Thursday, October 16.
Beatrice, a 15-year-old student of Walewale Girls’ Model Junior High School, highlighted key issues affecting children and youth in her municipality including child marriage, drug abuse, and inadequate educational infrastructure.
She appealed to the minister to help facilitate the construction of a dedicated Junior High School and a library for girls in Walewale, noting that the only girls’ school in the area currently shares a compound with a primary school.
The visit formed part of Plan International’s “Girls Takeover” initiative, which allows girls across the country to symbolically assume leadership roles for a day and advocate for the rights and empowerment of young people.
George Opare Addo commended Beatrice for her confidence and leadership, assuring her that all the issues she raised would receive the ministry’s attention.
“Every concern you have raised is valid and important. I will speak with the relevant authorities, including the Walewale Municipal Assembly and the Minister of Education, to find lasting solutions,” the minister said.
He further promised to make arrangements for the West Mamprusi Children’s Parliament to pay a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama, to discuss matters affecting children and young people in the country.
“I will ensure that you meet the President, and possibly the Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who as Ghana’s first female Vice President represents the leadership and empowerment that young girls like you aspire to,” he added.
