Standard Chartered Bank Ghana has commemorated the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child, mentoring senior high school girls in Accra.
The girls selected from about five schools were taking through insightful discussions on career selection and building, entrepreneurship, mastering one’s act and craft, leveraging available opportunities to add value to one’s self as well as building resilience to break the glass ceiling and to progress in any given field.
In an address, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing at Standard Chartered Bank Ghana, Asiedua Addae, advised the girls to remain steadfast and focused, to recognise their individuality, and to keep dreaming while learning hard to position themselves for a better future.
She urged them to have confidence, be bold, and never give up on their goals.
“Every one of us has huge potential and you are like a seed or a work in progress, so run your race. Life is a journey, so long as you keep moving, you will get there. You are all unique in your ways and so be your own validators, do not wait for anyone to validate you. You are unique and that is okay, keep your focus and do not get distracted,” she advised.
“As an organisation championing diversity, we want to encourage young girls to be able to take up professions in any field at all. So, we keep encouraging young girls to look out for their potential and talents as we inspire and empower them to be the best version of themselves.
“We have a relationship with the schools and we will be following up on these young ladies who participated and mentor other girls,” she highlighted.
She noted that the move beyond the International Day celebration is in line with the bank’s community engagement initiative dubbed ‘Future makers’, which seeks to empower young girls and women to learn, earn and grow. It aims to empower young people with employability, education and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Other speakers who were accomplished young women from diverse sectors also inspired the girls by sharing stories about their career journeys to allow the participants to learn as they strive to realise their full potential.
They included Petroleum Geologist, Martha Ama Ofoli; Country Manager of Denk Pharma, Naa Okailey Adamafio-Manteau; Digital Marketer, Alice Mensah and Squadron Leader (Ghana Airforce), Ama Serwah.
Female entrepreneurs like Autism Ambassador, Alice Mamaga; founder of Virtutor Online, Laura Pepera and Natalie Fordwor of WonderSpaced from the bank’s Women in Technology programme took their turn to enlighten participants on the entrepreneurship space and opportunities.
The event also witnessed science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) exhibition by girls from Accra High and Methodist Girls High School.
International Day of the Girl Child which is an international observance day declared by the United Nations (UN), highlights the needs and challenges girls face while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
