LEAP Sikapa for Girls, an initiative of the LEAP school, has held an exhibition show for more than 50 girls who were equipped with skills training in and around Obuasi.
The programme, which hosted participants from more than 20 community schools in the Obuasi area, took place on Wednesday, October 11, as part of activities to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl child.
The International Day of the Girl (IDG) – observed annually on 11 October – is a global platform to advocate for the full spectrum of girls’ rights. The theme for this year’s celebration is Digital Generation. Our generation.”
The event held at the premises of the Leap school attracted opinion leaders, officials of the Ghana Education Service, Nananom School children and teachers from selected schools in attendance.
Beneficiaries of the Leap Sikapa for Girls who were taken through training on responsible mining services, IT coding, metal works, carpentry and masonry, food and beverages as well as a fashion show using a combination of Sikapa products in fashion and beauty -soaps, beads, hair and facials, seized the opportunity to exhibit their products.
According to the Director of LEAP School, Aboagye Ohene Adu, who paid glowing tribute to his late wife and founder of LEAP Sikapa for Girls Nana Akua Ohene Adu for her passion and dedication to empower girls in Obuasi and surrounding communities, said the programme focuses on empowering girls economically through the provision of free technical and vocational training to prepare them for the job market.
He assured that as somebody who shares in the vision of his late wife, he will do whatever it takes to support Leap Sikapa for Girls.
“In a bid to preserve her legacy and honour her memory, a special award, the ‘Nana Ohene Adu Award’ will be instituted to motivate girls to participate girls to fully participate in the Leap Sikapa training programmes. The modalities for the selection of the deserving participants and the nature of the awards are being worked out and would be communicated at the appropriate time.”
Deputy Director of Education Suleyman David, who represented the Municipal Director of Education, said it was the hope of the education directorate to record Zero cases of teenage pregnancy during BECE.
She said the education directorate prioritizes Girl Child education hence has put in place measures where pregnant girls will not drop out of school but will sit and write their BECE.
“This and many things have been lined up by GES to improve girl child education.”
Cecilia Salifu, Assistant Director in charge of Girl Child education, eulogised the Leap Sikapa for girls for the impact it has made on the girl child.
She said the programme has succeeded in empowering grils in and around Obuasi to be economically independent whiles contributing to preventing teenage pregnancy.
Rolla Asiedu of the Ghana Geological Survey who represented women in mining said she leveraged on the program to motivate the girls to take interest in Science Technology Mathematics and Engineering education.
She said women have now taken over key positions in the mining industry, a field that was hitherto deemed as a preserve of men.
The LEAP Sikapa for Girls targets girls between 12 and 22 years in and around Obuasi who are deprived of alternative livelihood projects as sources of survival.
This goes a long way to protect these vulnerable girls from threats of negative socio-economic and illegal mining activities.