NDC member of parliament for Gomoa Central constituency, Hon. Rachel Nana Adwoa Appoh has said in her opinion�nothing can transform a person�s life the way education does.
"Education instills confidence and gifts people with a voice. Apart from the obvious benefits of a better and meaningful life, education gives people the skills they need to help themselves out of poverty and into prosperity," she stated.
Speaking at the the women in parliament global forum annual summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, she said education supports the growth of civil society, democracy and political stability allowing people to learn about their right and knowledge necessary to exercise these rights.
However, despite the substantial benefits of education, enormous challenges still pertain.
"As MP, former deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection and among female Parliamentarians championing the course of girl child education in Ghana, I believe that we can overcome gender disparity in education when we say no and do not tolerate/frown on gender-based violence in our schools since it undermines the right to education and present a major challenge to achieving gender equality in education," she said at the summit.
Read the full statement below:
A STATEMENT DELIVERED BY HON. RACHAEL FLORENCE APPOH. MP FOR GOMOA CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF GHANA AT THE WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT GLOBAL FORUM ANNUAL SUMMIT 2015 HELD IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, AFRICAN UNION HEADQUARTERS,�23RD-25TH MARCH 2015.
Thank you Chair for the opportunity to address this session, I am delighted to be part of this worthy cause that will champion the future of education. There is no doubt that �Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world�; credit to Nelson Mandela of blessed memory.
In my opinion, nothing can transform a person�s life the way education does. Education instills confidence and gifts people with a voice. Apart from the obvious benefits of a better and meaningful life, education gives people the skills they need to help themselves out of poverty and into prosperity. It supports the growth of civil society, democracy and political stability allowing people to learn about their right and knowledge necessary to exercise these rights. Despite the substantial benefits of education, enormous challenges still pertain.
According to the report of the global thematic consultation on education in the post 2015 development agenda co-led by UNESCO and UNICEF, though the gender gap has narrowed, many countries do not provide equal access to education for girls. Girls account for 53 percent of the 61 million children of primary school age who were out of school in 2010. In 2013, girls accounted for 49 percent of the 57 million children were school dropout. In surveys of 30 countries with more than 100 thousand of school children, 28 percent of girls were out of school on average compared to 25 percent of boys.
As MP, former deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection and among female Parliamentarians championing the course of girl child education in Ghana, I believe that we can overcome gender disparity in education when we say no and do not tolerate/frown on gender-based violence in our schools since it undermines the right to education and present a major challenge to achieving gender equality in education.
In Ghana for example, gender parity at the basic level remains a major priority in its education policy. Ghana has attained a one to one gender parity ratio. Over 92 thousand girls have benefitted from the take home ration program in the upper east, upper west and northern regions of the country. Under the global partnership for education program, 55 thousand girls in junior high school received scholarships, school uniforms, sandals, bags and stationery. Again, in 2014, the government of Ghana introduced the Complementary Basic Education (CBS) program. Under this program, twenty four thousand, one hundred and seventeen (24,117) out-of-school children were enrolled. Government of Ghana is motivating students by distributing 6million textbooks, 30,000 computers and 15million exercise books. The above programs were to consolidate the nation�s attainment of Universal Basic Education. This in my view is worth emulating.
In addition, ineffective sexual and reproductive health education inhibits adolescent access to education. This impact negatively especially, on girls� participation and retention in schools. There is therefore the need for parents and stakeholders to draw-up plans that will better inform these young girls.
In conclusion, the government of Ghana is creating the necessary opportunities for all children of school going age especially the girl child so as to bridge the gender gap and ensure equal and quality education.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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