The initiative was aimed at empowering the girls drawn from 10 school communities with the necessary knowledge, skills and support to make informed decisions about their future and inspire them to achieve their full potential. The project themed "Be Smart, Learn and Stay Protected," stands as a beacon of hope and progress within the prevailing communities.

Participants were taken through gender and career concepts, education pathways, communication skills, leadership, time management, psychological skills, career, and personal development plans.

As part of the mentorship programme, the participants visited the Koforidua Technical University where they interacted with lecturers, who took them through various career disciplines and encouraged them to pursue higher education. They also visited the Koforidua Beads Market, where they learnt about traditional beads and bead making.

The visitations and engagements were a calculated attempt to provide participants with inspiration and guidance to pursue higher ambitions and professional goals.

Mr Lawrence Dzah, the Akuapem North Municipal Education Director in an address, commended Plan International for conceiving of the mentorship and role-modelling project.
He identified the project as a unique model among non-governmental organisations in the municipality, which would go a long way to mitigate existing social challenges in the communities.

Mr Dzah highlighted the resounding success of the programme, emphasising the positive impact on learners in the selected schools.
He lauded the programme for its tailor-measured approach to gender and career education which would help students to appreciate the opportunities.

The Education Director stressed the importance of nurturing gender parity at all levels, noting that providing young girls with the necessary information and empowerment would enable them to face the future with confidence.

He advised chaperones and girl child coordinators to be proactive in guiding the learners in view of their vulnerability. Mr Mahmoud E. K. Nantomah, the Project Coordinator, said Plan International was committed to creating a just world that advanced children's rights and promoted equality for girls.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic had worsened numerous challenges facing girls including increased gender-based violence, and teenage pregnancy often driven by harmful traditional practices and limited access to education.

The mentorship and role-modelling project would serve as a pillar of support and catalyst for positive change in these communities, and that; "As part of the project's strategy for sustainable change, mentorship has been identified as a critical component of the outlined measures for effectual change," he said.

Mr Nantomah said by empowering and exposing girls to career and educational opportunities, the project aimed to motivate them to identify and pursue their goals.

Miss Dorcas Bui, a participant, expressed gratitude to Plan International for the event, saying it had positively impacted their career decisions and confidence in life.
She appealed to the organisation to extend the project to other jurisdictions to benefit more children.