The girls were selected from various public Junior High Schools (JHS) and given the items to support their education and boost their stay in school.

At a ceremony held in Accra, each of the girls received a school bag filled with items including supplementary textbooks, personal girl’s items, sanitary pads, stationery, sneakers and some undisclosed cash.

Madam Sheela Oppong Sakyi, a lawyer and Strategist, Office of the First Lady, together with Madam Justina Djaba, Acting Director of Administration, Ghana Education Service (GES), presented the items to the girls on behalf of Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the first lady.

Madam Sakyi, explained that the donations was being given under the Rebecca Foundation’s " I Want to Be" programme, a mentorship initiative, launched by the first lady in 2018 that aims to empower young girls and women through education and skills development.

On the other hand, Merck Foundation is also partnering the donation under its Educating programme launched in 2019 to help young girls who are underprivileged but brilliant to continue their education.

She said the gesture being done to the adolescent girls would hopefully ensure the realisation of their dreams.

The cash would also cushion their parents and guardians in caring for them to ensure their stay in school.

Madam Sakyi said the donation was in line with the mission of the Rebecca Foundation to support government efforts at improving the lives of Ghanaians, especially women and girls.

“We know that when girls are able to stay in school and climb the educational ladder to the highest level, they are likely to become very responsible women in future and contribute meaningfully to national development. This is why the Rebecca Foundation and Merck Foundation are supporting the girls with these gifts today,” she stated.

She urged parents to continue to support their children, particularly the girl child, to stay in school to be able to reach their full potential.

She said: “We know basic education is free and we now have free SHS brought about by President Akufo-Addo, but some parents are unable to afford basic items and study materials to enhance the education of their wards, which is very unfortunate sometimes.

“As parents, let us push harder to ensure the education of our children because that is the most valuable gift and form of empowerment we can give to them to become great adults in future,” Madam Sakyi said.

Ms Djaba, on her part, lauded both organisations for the donation, saying it would go a long way to motivate the pupils on their educational journey.

“Adolescence can be a slippery and lonely road especially when you do not have supportive people to talk to, so it is nice that we have people like our own mother, the First Lady to institute such an initiative to support young ladies so that they can be able to achieve their dreams.”

Ms. Djaba entreated the beneficiaries to stay focused on their studies and learn hard to make the First Lady, their parents and themselves proud in the future.

She also encouraged parents and teachers not to give up on the girls but offer a listening ear to their problems always so they would not “drive them away.

“Let us make time for these young ones. Let us not be too preoccupied with our work, especially fathers, so that we can guide, inspire and motivate them to reach their full potential,” Ms Djaba said.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed their appreciation to the First Lady for the items, and promised to put in more efforts to make their families and nation proud.

Among the schools where the girls who are in JHS one to three were selected from included the Osu Manhean Basic School, Dome Anglican Basic School, Kaneshie Basic School, Atomic Hill Basic School, as well as the Adanta, Achimota and Teshie Basic schools.