Nana Ekua Abookyi VI, Queenmother of Oguaa Traditional Area, has asked girls to be bold, confident and assertive and resist any form of violence that hinder their growth and development.
They should not hesitate to report any violence or abuse attempted at them to the police or traditional leaders for the perpetrator to face the law and necessary actions taken against them.
At a forum dubbed Queen Mother’s Day, organised in partnership with Obaapa Development Foundation, Nana Abookyi, told the girls not to allow any form of attacks against them.
The interactive session with young girls in Cape Coast sponsored by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and Eat an Egg Today, a health group.
The event, which formed part of the 60th anniversary celebration of Oguaa Fetu Festival, platform for young girls to discuss intimate issues with the Queen mothers drawn from the Unity Queens Association across the country.
Issues like effects of teen pregnancy, child marriage, and gender-based violence were discussed.
They had a one-on-one time with the young girls also on their growth and reproductive rights.
The Queen mothers educated, advised and offered support and solutions where necessary.
Nana Abookyi urged parents and stakeholders to create an enabling environment to propel girls to accomplish their dreams.
They spoke on physical and menstrual health issues, domestic violence, and other sensitive topics that affected their development.
The day was climaxed with a cooking competition, free health screening, cultural display among other activities.
Citizens drawn from the various divisions within the traditional area took the girls through the preparation of Fante dishes such as apeprensa, kenkey and fish, fufu and light soup as well as table setting and manners, to prepare them ahead of the future.
The girls expressed gratitude to the Queen Mother for the educative session and pleaded that more of such fora were organised to help them in future.
