He said it was the way to help them to become more assertive and lift them out of poverty. This was contained in an address read for him at a durbar held in the mining town of Obuasi to commemorate this year’s international day of the girl.

“Promoting girls’ empowerment and fulfilment of their human rights” was the theme chosen for the event, which was used to discuss how to remove barriers to their growth and development.Dr. Oppong said studies conducted by his organization showed that education “helps the girl child to overcome inferiority complex - boosts their confidence to pursue their career development successfully”.

The day generally is marked worldwide to bring into focus the urgent need for governments’ and stakeholders to work together in the implementation of policies and programmes designed to give protection to the girl-child. He expressed worry that in spite of coordinated efforts by community-based organizations and other institutions to stop early and forced child marriages in the Ghanaian society, the practice continued to be more pronounced.

He added that culture and religion were to blame for the situation.

The DCI, in partnership with the police, Departments of Children and Women, and other volunteers, last year, stopped six minors from been married off.  The young girls, after their rescue had been counselled, resettled and continuing with their education and career development.

He spoke of the determination of the NGO to lead the campaign to rid the society of socio-cultural practices that were retrogressive and inimical to the health and physical growth of children. Ms. Hannah Amponsah, Obuasi Municipal Officer in-charge of Girl Child Education, encouraged NGOs to support skills acquisition programmes meant to empower girls, who had dropped out of school.