International Needs Ghana (INGH) has commemorated the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child with activities aimed at empowering adolescent girls, promoting their rights and encouraging young mothers to return to school.
The event, held on Friday, October 9 2026, at the Senya Beraku AstroTurf, brought together hundreds of adolescents from various local communities ahead of the annual observance on October 11.
This year’s theme, “End Child Marriage, Invest in Girls’ Rights,” highlighted the need to protect girls’ rights alongside create opportunities for them to thrive.
In its opening remarks, INGH reaffirmed its commitment to empowering girls and addressing challenges facing adolescents, including menstrual health concerns, teenage pregnancy and repetitive poverty cycle.
The organisation also emphasised the importance of educating boys on girls’ rights and encouraging them to support efforts to ensure equal opportunities for all.
A key highlight of the commemoration was a mentorship session led by Child Rights Advocate and Adolescent Mentor, Ashley Chuks, who encouraged the girls to believe in themselves and develop their talents.
“As a girl who wants to be successful, you need to believe in yourself and work on developing your talent,” she said.
She also urged the adolescents to maintain good personal hygiene and prioritise their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
“As adolescent girls, we need to take care of ourselves. It’s not just about personal hygiene, but you also need to take care of yourself mentally and spiritually,” she added.
Ms Chuks further encouraged the girls to take their education seriously and abstain from premarital sex, citing teenage pregnancy as a challenge that could disrupt their education and limit their future opportunities.
As part of efforts to support vulnerable young mothers, INGH engaged 13 adolescent mothers aged between 14 and 19.
The session encouraged the young mothers not to abandon their aspirations because of early motherhood and urged them to return to school to continue their education.
The commemoration also featured two separate football matches involving participants from the Mantemankabi and Alata Ajan/Castle communities.
One match was organised for girls, and another held for boys, providing participants with opportunities to engage in recreational activities and promote teamwork.
Through mentorship, educational engagement and recreational activities, INGH sought to raise awareness of girls’ rights while encouraging adolescent girls and young mothers to pursue their education and work towards a better future.