Regional News of Monday, 19 September 2005

Source: GNA

Help mould Ghanaian Girl-Child - Minister

Kumasi, Sept.18, GNA - Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister has called on all and sundry to help mould the Ghanaian Girls to enable them take up their places as responsible citizens in society.

She said without them, there is no future and all the investment in physical infrastructure would be useless without a virile and active population.

Madam Appiagyei was speaking at a durbar to climax the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Ghana Girls" Brigade at the Saint Louis Training College in Kumasi on Saturday. The theme for the four-day celebration was, "Helping Girls To Find True Enrichment of Life" and was attended by over 400 delegates from Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Western and Volta regions.

She said, "if all girls had the opportunity to be moulded, we would not be saddled with the problems of sexual promiscuity, indecent dressing and young girls flirting with men who are older enough to be their fathers." Madam Appiagyei observed that education for all, especially girls is not only a human right, but also in the best interest of the society, adding that it was indeed, perhaps the single best strategy, "we have to adopt to ensure a better future for posterity."

She congratulated the Girls Brigade for the good work done and their contribution to the development of the nation's human resource, and urged the young girls to exercise self-control, and not to be deceived by the sophisticated fashion of the day that draws them away from God.

"Bow to discipline and practice all that you are taught as members of the Girls' Brigade, not forgetting service to humanity, particularly the aged in society. Endeavour to make yourselves, your parents and nation proud of you," she said.

Mrs. Elizabeth Sawyerr, National President of the Girls'Brigade paid glowing tribute to past and present leaders of the Brigade and all those who have helped to sustain the Brigade.

She said she was determined under her administration to encourage expansion works in all the regions, revive defunct companies and organize programmes and activities to educate churches and other stakeholders to know more about the Girls Brigade. Mrs. Sawyerr said efforts will also be made to commence work on the construction of offices for the Brigade in all the regions and called for support. Sept. 17 05