The Golden Tree Foundation, a Ghanaian non-governmental organisation (NGO) committed to empowering individuals, particularly women and girls, through advocacy, education, and community support, has marked the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child with an impactful outreach programme combining girl child rights advocacy with free breast cancer education and screening across six schools in the Western Region.
The three-day intervention, held on October 11, 22, and 28, 2026, reached communities within the Essikadu-Ketan Sub-Metropolitan District under the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly and the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.
Organised under the global theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” and the local campaign theme, “Invest in Girls’ Rights,” the initiative sought to raise awareness about the challenges confronting girls while promoting their rights, health, education, protection, and overall well-being.
The six beneficiary schools were Nsuta Dadwen School Complex, Nsuta Methodist School, Nsuta Municipal Assembly School, St. Mary’s Catholic Junior High School in Nsuta, Essikadu Catholic Mixed School and Nana Nketsia Junior School in Essikadu.
A major highlight of the commemoration was the integration of breast cancer awareness, education and free screening into the girl child advocacy campaign, extending the initiative’s health benefits beyond the school environment to teachers and a cross-section of community members.
The health intervention, supported by staff of Ghana Manganese Hospital, provided participants with essential information on breast cancer, the importance of breast health awareness, and the need for early detection. The free screening component further offered an opportunity for beneficiaries to access preventive healthcare services and become more conscious of their health.
By incorporating breast cancer education and screening into the commemoration, Golden Tree Foundation demonstrated an integrated approach to community empowerment, recognising that investing in women and girls must also involve promoting their health, well-being, and access to essential health information.
Speaking during the engagements, the Foundation’s Founder, Madam Gloria Addisu Hasford, encouraged the girls to dream big, develop ambitious aspirations, and remain focused on achieving their goals.
She emphasised that great ambitions could only be realised through determination, discipline, hard work and an unwavering commitment to personal development.
Madam Hasford urged the girls not to allow societal pressures, personal circumstances, or existing barriers to undermine their confidence or limit their aspirations, stressing the importance of education and self-belief in shaping their future.
She further underscored the need for society to create supportive environments where girls can discover their potential, pursue their dreams and enjoy equal opportunities to succeed.
Also addressing the pupils, Madam Mawuena Atta, Chief Programme Officer of Golden Tree Foundation, cautioned the girls against premature sexual activities and risky relationships with boys and adult men.
She highlighted the potential consequences, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and teenage pregnancy, which can disrupt girls’ education, compromise their health, and undermine their future opportunities.
She encouraged them to make responsible and informed decisions, protect their health, value their education, and remain focused on building promising futures.
The Foundation expressed appreciation to the Girl Child Coordinators, Clara Ahenewa Amoaful and Evelyn Mintah, for their support in facilitating the successful implementation of the outreach activities.
Special recognition was also extended to staff of Ghana Manganese Hospital for providing free breast cancer education and screening, as well as the Ghana Manganese Ladies for their valuable contribution and support towards the initiative.
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to celebrate girls, recognise their rights, draw attention to the challenges they face, and mobilise support for their empowerment and development.
The annual observance also provides an opportunity to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those relating to gender equality, quality education, good health and well-being, and the elimination of harmful practices such as child marriage.
Through the October outreach, the Golden Tree Foundation has reinforced the importance of addressing the needs of girls through practical, community-centred interventions that go beyond symbolic celebrations.
The initiative also highlights the interconnectedness of girls’ rights, education, reproductive health, and women’s healthcare, demonstrating that meaningful empowerment requires deliberate investments in both the protection and well-being of girls and the health of women in their communities.
As the campaign theme, “Invest in Girls’ Rights,” aptly emphasises, building a society where every girl can thrive requires sustained commitment from families, educational institutions, healthcare providers, civil society organisations, communities and government.
For the Golden Tree Foundation, the message is clear: protecting girls, investing in their aspirations, and promoting women’s health must remain shared responsibilities and continuous priorities rather than commitments reserved for commemorative occasions.
