Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has reminded families, communities, and national institutions that safeguarding the wellbeing of girls is a collective responsibility that must not be taken lightly.
Speaking at the 70th Anniversary celebration of the Girls’ Brigade Ghana, the Vice President stressed that despite visible progress, many girls continue to face social pressures and structural barriers that limit their potential.
“Protecting our girls is a shared duty,” she said. “The challenges they face have not disappeared. We must all rise to support the girl child with the seriousness and consistency they deserve.”
Professor Opoku-Agyemang noted that issues such as early marriages, low self-confidence, harmful cultural expectations, and limited access to opportunities remain major obstacles to girls’ development. She urged parents and guardians to reflect on their own roles in either enabling or hindering a girl’s growth.
“We must accept our own shortcomings,” she cautioned. “Only then can we truly offer the guidance, understanding, and protection our girls need.”
The Vice President called for stronger collaboration between families, schools, religious groups, and youth development organisations to confront the realities facing Ghanaian girls today. She emphasized that national development is tied to the wellbeing and empowerment of girls.
“When we come together against every barrier, from early marriage to lack of confidence. we help our girls shine for themselves and for the nation at large,” she added.
The 70th Anniversary event gathered hundreds of members of the Girls’ Brigade, alumni, church leaders, educators, and partner organisations. The Brigade was commended for decades of nurturing disciplined, confident, and service-minded young women across the country.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang reaffirmed government’s commitment to policies and programmes that strengthen protection systems and expand opportunities for girls, stressing that empowering young women is essential for Ghana’s progress.
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