Ministerial dialogue in Zambia: Ghana using traditional authorities to tackle girl-child dropout – Dr Apaak

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has disclosed that Ghana is increasingly relying on chiefs and queen mothers to help keep girls in school and reduce dropout rates.

Dr. Apaak made the remarks during a UNESCO ministerial dialogue held in Livingstone, Zambia.

Addressing ministers and government representatives from across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Deputy Minister said Ghana’s approach to tackling school dropout among girls involved stronger collaboration with traditional authorities and local communities.

“So, we also engage the traditional leaders, the chiefs,” Dr Apaak said while outlining measures being implemented to support learners.

He explained that Ghana’s traditional leadership structures were being used to deepen awareness on the importance of girls’ education and encourage communities to prioritise keeping girls in school.

“In Ghana, we have the regional house of chiefs, which is at the national level. Then, you have the regional house of chiefs. And then, it can speed down,” he stated.

Dr Apaak said Queen Mothers were playing a particularly important role in advocacy efforts focused on girls.

“We also have the queen mothers’ organisation,” he noted.

“So, when it comes to girls in particular, I would believe that the Queen Mothers are better suited. So, they take the lead, supported by the chiefs,” he added.

According to him, traditional authorities were helping government efforts by engaging families and communities on the long-term benefits of educating girls.

“So, while we are doing all of this, we are also engaging the traditional authorities in educating them about the need to feed girls in school,” Dr Apaak said.

The conference ended with ministers adopting a communiqué warning that Sub-Saharan Africa faced a growing “triple threat” of HIV, early and unintended pregnancy, and gender-based violence affecting millions of children and adolescents.

The communiqué stated that early pregnancy and child marriage continued to drive school dropouts and poor health outcomes across many African countries.

Participants pledged to strengthen school systems through safer learning environments, improved policies and stronger partnerships involving governments, communities, parents and traditional leaders.

“The future of Africa depends on whether we protect, educate, empower, and invest in our young people today,” the communiqué stated.