UKAID, World Education in Partnership with Pro-Link Empowered 886 Marginalized Girls in Nkwanta South Municipal

UKAID, World Education Ghana in partnership with Pro-Link empowered a total of 886 disadvantaged and marginalized girls made up of 204 girls with disabilities and 682 girls who have gone through early marriage, exchange marriage, forced marriage, teenage pregnancy, never been to school and school drop-out before primary four (P4) in Nkwanta South Municipality.

The girls were selected from thirty-one communities namely Dadiase, Kromase, Shiare, Odomi Challa, Gekorong, Keri, Abrewankor, Nyambong, Kpapu-Akura, Agou-Kunji, Agou Fie, Dawa-Akura, Dawa West, Bonakye-Asuogya No.1, Jumbo No.1, Bonakye-Asuogya No.2, New Agou No.1, Chaiso, Ahodwo, New Agou No.2, Salifukrom, Brewoniase North, Pusupu, Brewoniase South, Bontibor, Odumase Adele, Ashiabre, Kechebi, Alokpatsa, Kechebi-Nsuogya, Tutukpene.

The selected girls were taken through Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) i.e. Literacy, Numeracy, and Life Skills after which they acquired Vocational Skills in Pastries and bread baking, Soap, powder and detergent making, Hair braiding, and Bead decoration. The girls, after their vocational skills training, will be provided with start-up capital to launch their businesses.

Strategic Approaches to Girls’ Education (STAGE) project sourced its funding from Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the Girls’ Education Challenge. STAGE project with a slogan of “Leave No Girl Behind” aimed to bring a holistic approach to the education of the girls. Lower the barriers that they face as an individual within the community they live in, schools and system levels.

In addition, advocacy meetings were held with municipal and community stakeholders to address issues of gender inequality and social inclusion, gender-based violence (GBV), and safeguarding vulnerable ones in the communities.

To climax the second cohort of the project, a graduation ceremony was held, where the girls were presented with National Vocational and Technical Institute (NVTI) Certificate. At the ceremony, Executive Director of Pro-Link, Mr. Edem Samuel Assisi admonished the girls to put the skills acquired into use and establish their business as expected.

Program Manager, Mr. Mawusi Tsaku pledged Pro-Link’s continued support for the girls, and told them “even though the project is phasing out from the municipal, it does not mean they will leave them but they will be at their disposal to assist them if the need arises”.

The Southern Sector MEL officer Mr. Micheal Barnor who represented the country director of World Education Inc. Thank stakeholders for embracing STAGE Project since its inception he encouraged the graduands to make the most use of their time in running the businesses after they receive their start-up capital.

Mr. Crence Dogbey the representative of Nkwanta South MCE commended UKaid through World Education Inc. for working to improve the lives of the marginalized girls in the Municipal further assured that the assembly will enroll girls with disabilities on leap program in the next phase of registration.

Some of the girls who shared their testimonies could not hide their joy especially those with disabilities. They assured project officials and stakeholders that they will make use of what they have learned and do the needful thing by starting their businesses.