Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, says Ghana is increasingly working with traditional authorities, including chiefs and queen mothers, to reduce school dropout rates among girls.
He made the remarks during a UNESCO ministerial dialogue held in Livingstone, Zambia.
Addressing ministers and government representatives from across Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr. Apaak said Ghana’s approach to reducing girl-child dropout involves stronger collaboration with traditional leadership structures at all levels.
“So, we also engage the traditional leaders, the chiefs,” he said while outlining ongoing interventions to support learners.
He noted that Ghana’s traditional governance system, including the National House of Chiefs, regional houses of chiefs, and traditional councils, plays a key role in community mobilisation.
“In Ghana, we have the National House of Chiefs at the national level, then the regional houses of chiefs, and then the traditional councils,” he said.
Dr. Apaak said queen mothers play a particularly important role in advocating for girls’ education and welfare.
“We also have the queen mothers’ organisation,” he said. “So, when it comes to girls in particular, I believe the queen mothers are better suited. So, they take the lead, supported by the chiefs.”
He said traditional authorities help government efforts by engaging families and communities on the importance of keeping girls in school.
“So, while we are doing all of this, we are also engaging the traditional authorities in educating them about the need to keep girls in school,” he said.
The conference ended with ministers adopting a communiqué warning that Sub-Saharan Africa faces a growing “triple threat” of HIV, early and unintended pregnancy, and gender-based violence affecting millions of children and adolescents.
The communiqué said early pregnancy and child marriage continue to drive school dropouts and poor health outcomes across many African countries.
Participants pledged to strengthen education systems through safer learning environments, improved policies, and stronger partnerships involving governments, communities, parents and traditional leaders.
“The future of Africa depends on whether we protect, educate, empower and invest in our young people today,” the communiqué stated.
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