Africa-Press – Ghana. The Dome District, Haatso Area of the Church of Pentecost (COP) Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), and the School Outreach Ministry of COP, has commemorated this year’s International Day for the Boy Child with a strong appeal to stakeholders to pay closer attention to the holistic development of boys.
The event on the theme “Unleashing the Boy Child through Holistic Development” aimed to address the growing disparity in education and value formation between boys and girls.
Dr. Emmanuel Tachie-Obeng, Haatso Area PEMEM Secretary, emphasised the urgency of focusing on boys’ development, noting a concerning trend in educational participation.
“As of today, 73 per cent of girls are in school, compared to 69 per cent of boys, and the number keeps declining each year”
“That is why the Church of Pentecost has taken it upon itself through the Men’s Ministry and the Schools Outreach Ministry to promote the growth and education of the boy child,” he said.
Dr. Obeng said while advocacy for the girl child had made significant strides, boys were increasingly falling behind in key developmental areas, both academically and socially.
“In many homes, girls are involved in chores like sweeping, cooking, and fetching water, which instil discipline and responsibility. Meanwhile, boys are often left playing football or roaming, which doesn’t prepare them for future responsibilities,” he added.
Quoting Proverbs 22:6 — “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” he stressed the importance of raising boys with biblical and kingdom values.
The Area Secretary called on parents, educators, and religious institutions to involve boys more intentionally in domestic responsibilities, academic efforts, and moral upbringing.
Dr. Emmanuel K. Aidoo, Faithful Giants Coordinator, Haatso Area, reiterated the need adopt a holistic approach to raising the boy child, urging stakeholders to prioritise their physical, emotional, spiritual, and academic well-being.
He highlighted the importance of shaping boys into well-rounded individuals using biblical principles, explaining that true development encompassed every aspect of life.
“We are not only concerned about their academic growth, we want boys to grow in wisdom, character, and strength. That is the essence of holistic development,” he said.
He said the imbalance was partly due to societal neglect of the boy child’s development and the growing influence of harmful peer pressure and digital distractions.
Dr. Aidoo said there was the need to teach boy child to manage their time, balance work and play, and avoid unhealthy screen time habits.
He urged the boy child to adopt good hygiene practices, engage in physical exercise, and avoid social vices such as smoking and idleness.
“It is not enough to attend school, the boys must aim for excellence, seek understanding, and participate fully in class activities,” he advised.
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