By Lydia Kukua Asamoah, GNA
Accra, March 23, GNA - The Rebecca Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has organised a programme to profile and pitch mentees with mentors under the project: “Because I Want To Be,“ to better the lot of the youth.
The “Because I Want To Be, “a project by the Rebecca Foundation, drew the girls from Jamestown, Bukom and Chorkor in Accra to offer them the opportunity to better their life and become more responsible citizens.
Ms Sheila Sakyi Oppong, a Strategist and a Spokesperson of the Rebecca Foundation, who represented the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, at the pitching ceremony in Accra, said the mentorship programme aims to offer hope to girls within the country.
The project involves women in positions of power and influence, who serve as mentors for the young girls throughout the country and take them through vocational training.
At the pitching and profiling event, the girls, aged 17 to 21, were paired with their mentors comprising high profile entrepreneurs from Charter House, Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design, Jane’m Salon, Marie Noelle’s Spa, FC Perfumery and Cosmetics, Unique Floral Ghana, Buka Restaurant Ghana, Reroy Cable, and media owners.
They were also registered under the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable them to access free healthcare when need arises.
Ms Oppong explained that the mentorship project was to groom the girls to excel in their fields of endeavor, assist those who wanted to further their education to do so, and provide vocational training for those interested in that area.
She, therefore, advised the girls to be humble, disciplined, determined and respectful throughout their mentorship period, saying; “One could do anything when the mind is set upon it”.
Ms Marian Mensah (Esq), Head of Social Welfare and Community Development Department, Accra Metro, took the mentees through etiquette, and Code of Conduct of the project, urging them to eschew laziness and and avoid acts that may derail their successes.
“You should love your live, be interested in your life, and enjoy your life by attaining a vocation or career that will enrich your life,” Ms Mensah said.
Ms Janet Lartele Sunkwa Mills, a Mentor, on behalf of the other mentors, expressed joy and readiness to offer mentorship to the girls so they could acquire a career to be self-reliant.
She told them to believe in whatever vocation they were in and shun the perception that vocations like fashion designing, driving and beauty therapy were the preserve of school dropouts as those professions were as important to the nation as any other profession.
Mr Niyi Ojuolape, the UNFPA Country Representative, commended the professionals for accepting to mentor the girls and reaffirmed the Organisation’s commitment towards the project.
He said it tallies in with the UNFPA’s vision of ensuring a better life for every young person.
Dr Doris Aglobiste, a Programme Analyst, in charge of Communications and Resource Mobilisation, UNFPA, urged the girls to be focused on their mentorship programme and take advantage of the offer to learn a trade to fend for themselves and their families.
She urged them to abstain from premarital sex or use protection to avoid unwanted pregnancies that could retard their progress.
Some of the girls who spoke to the media expressed gratitude to the First Lady for the opportunity offered them, with some saying they wanted to become beauticians, makeup artists, journalists, lawyers, nurses, and food and restaurant operators.
Miss Shiela Ocqauye, a 21-year old mentee, said she wanted to learn fashion designing and that the programme was big opportunity for her to make her dreams come true.
Mrs Akufo-Addo had earlier emphasised the need to drive change in the lives of young underprivileged girls in society, having expressed appreciation to the mentors for accepting the challenge.
GNA
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS