1st Lady supports needy students
The First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has presented school supplies and personal items to 30 brilliant but needy girls drawn from various public basic schools in the Greater Accra Region.
The gesture, in partnership with the Merck Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, also had attached an undisclosed amount of money aimed at supporting the education of the girls to realise their life aspirations.
At a short presentation ceremony in Accra yesterday, Lawyer and Lead Strategist at the Office of the First Lady, Shiela Adoma Boakye, said the gesture was in line with the mission of the Rebecca Foundation which is to support government efforts at improving the lives of Ghanaians, especially women and girls.
“We know that when girls are able to stay in school and climb the educational ladder to the highest level, they are likely to become very responsible women in future and contribute meaningfully to national development and this is why the Rebecca Foundation and Merck Foundation are supporting these girls with these gifts today,” she explained.
Ms Boakye entreated parents to go all out in supporting their children, particularly the girl child to stay in school to be able to reach their full life potential.
“We know that basic education is free and we now have free SHS but some parents are unable to afford basic items and study materials to support the education of their wards which is very unfortunate sometimes.
As parents, let us push harder to ensure the education of our children, especially the girls because that is the most valuable gift and form of empowerment we can give them to become great adults in future,” she urged.
The Director in charge of General Administration at the Ghana Education Service (GES), Ms Justina Djaba, who presented the items to the girls, lauded both organisations for the donation which she said would go a long way to motivate the pupils on their educational journey.
“Adolescence can be a slippery and lonely road, especially when you do not have supportive people to talk to, so it is nice that we have people like our own mother, the First Lady to institute such an initiative to support young ladies so that they can be able to achieve their dreams” she indicated.
Ms Djaba further entreated the beneficiaries to stay focused on their studies and learn in order to make the First Lady, their parents and themselves proud in the nearest future.
She also encouraged parents and teachers not to give up on the girls but offer a listening ears to them always so as not to “drive them away.”
“Let us make time for these young ones. Let us not be too much preoccupied with our work, especially our Fathers so that we can guide, inspire and motivate them to reach their full potential”, she urged.
Some beneficiaries in a remark, expressed their appreciation to the First Lady for the items, promising to put in the hard work to make their family and nation proud.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
