UEW and GES Inspire Girls to Lead Change at International Day of the Girl Child Celebration
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) through its Department of Integrated Science Education, in collaboration with the Central Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) celebrated the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child at Edinaman Senior High School, Elmina, on Monday, 13th October, 2025.
The event was held under the theme “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” to empower girls to embrace leadership, resilience and self-belief. It brought together students, teachers, parents, officers of the Central Regional Directorate of GES, and gender advocates from the University of Cape Coast.
Dr. Nelly Adjoa Sakyi-Hagan, Head of the Department of Integrated Science Education at UEW, delivered the keynote address, sharing inspiring insights on girls’ leadership and resilience in the face of adversity. Drawing from her personal journey as one of only three women in her university physics class, Dr. Nelly Sakyi-Hagan challenged the students to embrace confidence, courage, and consistency in their academic and personal pursuits.
“Before you can lead change, you must know who you are and what you carry inside you. Education is your greatest superpower; it can lift you from the backroom to the boardroom, from the classroom to the office and from a ‘nobody’ to somebody,” she told the students.
Dr. Nelly Sakyi-Hagan encouraged the girls to lead positive change through small but meaningful acts of leadership such as mentoring peers, forming study groups, and initiating community service projects even in times of crisis.
Mr. Ebenezer Obeng, the Headmaster of Edinaman SHS, in his welcome remarks, expressed appreciation to the Regional Directorate and UEW for choosing the school to host the celebration, describing the event as “a celebration of strength, purpose and potential.”
Dr. Mrs. Juliette Dufie Otami, Central Regional Director of Education, underscored the need to sustain efforts aimed at closing gender gaps in education. She reaffirmed GES’ commitment to supporting girls’ education and safety, emphasising that “when we educate a girl, we educate an entire community.”
Dr. Yvonne Ami Adjakloe, a Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of Advocacy and Outreach, Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD), UCC, highlighted the importance of mentorship, gender equity and safe learning spaces for girls. She reminded the students that every girl is a potential solution-bearer whose voice and ideas can drive transformation in society.
The celebration featured poetry recitals and a lively interactive session with students, who engaged the speakers on topics such as leadership, academic motivation and gender stereotypes.
The event concluded with renewed inspiration among participants to pursue excellence, lead with integrity, and support one another in their educational journeys.