Sophia took on the role of Board Chair of the National Peace Council. Sophia called for youth to be involved in decision-making processes and urged political parties to commit to peace.
For International Day of the Girl 2024, as part of the Girls Takeover initiative, 14-year-old final year student Sophia stepped into the role of Board Chair of the National Peace Council (NPC) for a day.
In discussions with board members, Sophia suggested involving more youth in decision-making processes and initiatives aimed at maintaining peace during the upcoming December 7 election. She also urged all political parties to commit to signing a peace pact to help preserve the nation’s existing peace.
Sophia encouraged the Electoral Commission and political parties to ensure fairness, accuracy, and equity in the election process while promoting clean campaigns. Additionally, she recommended that the Peace Council establish peace clubs in basic schools, particularly in rural communities, to encourage schoolchildren to become ambassadors of peace.
Reflecting on her experience as NPC Board Chair for the day, Sophia stated, “It’s been amazing to take over the seat of the Chairman of the NPC, and on the Day of the Girl Child, I’m happy to have made suggestions to my team to promote peace. Children have some knowledge about peace, but they will understand it better when they are educated about it, enabling them to join the effort to spread the message. To me, peace means unity, and together we can promote it.”
Mr. Frank Wilson Bodza, Head of Conflict Management and Resolution at the NPC, explained that the Council has trained 180 politicians across the regions to resolve inter- and intra-party conflicts, often utilising alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
He added that the NPC has trained about 450 media personnel on issues such as hate speech, vigilantism, and information disorder—including misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation—to help prevent sensationalism in reporting and avoid conflicts.
How Sophia knows Plan International
Sophia is a mentee of Plan International Ghana’s “Be Smart, Learn and Stay Protected Project,” Sophia assumed this role as part of activities commemorating this year’s International Day of the Girl.
“To me, peace means unity, and together we can promote it.”
Sophia
The Be Smart, Learn and Stay Protected project is a vital initiative launched in February 2023 to empower adolescent girls to exercise their rights to education and protection from sexual and gender-based violence. Running through to January 2025, this project focuses on strengthening the agency of adolescent girls to advocate for themselves, make informed choices, and challenge harmful gender norms within their communities.
The project has implemented a range of impactful activities:
- Mentorship and role modelling: programmes introduced positive role models for adolescents, helping them identify and pursue career ambitions.
- Engagement with duty bearers: adolescents were empowered to voice their challenges directly to community leaders, fostering dialogue on issues affecting their rights.
- Community-based initiatives: radio programmes, family meetings, and sessions with those involved and affected were held to discourage harmful gender practices and promote gender equality.
- Training and savings groups: community volunteers received training on child protection and savings and loans groups were formed to provide financial support, create advocacy spaces and enhance community welfare.
Girls Takeover
Plan International Girls Takeover is a global initiative that gives girls the opportunity to step into leadership positions to champion gender equality.
Mrs. Esenam Ahiadorme, Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Specialist at Plan International Ghana, explained that the takeover project is conducted annually to prepare adolescents for leadership roles. “We want to encourage young girls to take up leadership positions and let them know they can do it. We need to let them know that the positions are there, and it is up to them to get ready for the task.”
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