Deputy Education Minister urges mothers to keep girls in school, prepare them for leadership

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak has described the empowerment of mothers as a critical step towards closing Ghana’s gender gap in education and preparing more girls for leadership.

According to Dr. Apaak, mothers have a significant influence on the educational outcomes, aspirations, and values of their children, particularly their daughters.

He made the remarks while speaking as guest speaker at the 2026 MomCo Conference in Accra on Saturday, August 22.

Dr. Apaak said the Ministry of Education considers mothers important partners in promoting gender equality and improving educational outcomes.

“Third, you are champions of Gender Equality, and this point is especially close to my heart. When we empower a mother, we empower a family,” he said.

He explained that an empowered mother can play a key role in ensuring that her daughter remains in school, completes her education, and develops aspirations for leadership.

“An empowered mother ensures her daughter stays in school, completes her education, and aspires to leadership,” Dr. Apaak said.

He added that mothers also have an important responsibility in shaping the attitudes of boys towards women and promoting respect for women from an early age.

“She also raises sons who respect women,” he said.

Dr. Apaak said these values are essential to addressing gender disparities in education and broader society.

“This is how we close the gender gap, both in education and in our nation,” he added.

The Deputy Minister further reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to gender-responsive education and identified MomCo as an important partner in advancing that objective.