Gyinapintinhemaa foundation empowers girls in Obuasi to balance zeal with purpose

Illegal small-scale mining in Ghana has a significant negative impact on girls' education, leading to high dropout rates, poor academic performance, and early involvement in mining activities.

The lure of quick income often disrupts their schooling and perpetuates a cycle of poverty, particularly in mining communities. This issue is further exacerbated by factors such as lack of access to quality education, poverty, and societal pressures for girls to contribute to household income.

Obuasi, a prominent mining community, is not immune to the adverse effects of illegal mining on girls. To address this challenge, the Gyinapintinhemaa Foundation, in collaboration with the Obuasi Health Directorate, organized a mentorship program for girls in the area.

More than 200 Junior High School (JHS) students from Obuasi attended the program, which aimed to inspire and guide JHS learners, helping them balance their enthusiasm with purpose while making informed career choices.

Cecilia Mensah, the Girls Coordinator at the Obuasi Municipal Education Directorate, highlighted that one of the major barriers to the academic and career advancement of girls in mining communities is the lack of mentorship. She explained that girls in illegal mining areas are often exposed to harmful behaviors such as teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and delinquency, which negatively affect their development. By choosing the right mentors, she believes these girls can fulfill their dreams and achieve success.

The mentorship program featured distinguished women from various fields, including health, engineering, and education, who coached the students on making the right career choices. Mrs. Mensah emphasized that the initiative was designed to help the girls identify suitable mentors and follow their guidance until they reach their goals.

Dr. Amina Achiaa Asiedu Amoah, a retired educationist and the guest speaker at the event, stressed the importance of promoting tertiary education in mining communities to support sustainable development and improve the socioeconomic conditions of these areas. She advocated for the establishment of scholarship programs specifically for students from mining communities, as well as the development of courses that address the sector’s needs, such as mining engineering, geology, and environmental management. Additionally, she called for vocational training and certification programs to provide immediate job opportunities for students.

Rachel Yakubu Coffie, a participant from AngloGold Ashanti JHS, praised the organizers for the mentorship program. She shared that the event empowered her to make informed career choices and encouraged other girls to take part in such mentorship initiatives to shape their futures.