Africa-Press – Ghana. Boys in the JSA Boys Mentorship Programme has called for enforcement of policies that hold fathers accountable not only for financial support but also for emotional and moral guidance.
The Boys said there should be more equitable disciplinary practices between boys and girls, adding that there were limited mentorship opportunities, alarming school dropout rate among high school boys and inadequate mental health support available to boys in schools.
The Boys made the call when the JSA Boys Mentorship, led by its Founding Director Mrs Ethel Adjorlolo-Marfo, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
The visit was hosted by Dr Agnes Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection along with the Chief Director at the Ministry in Accra.
It also forms part of the “Boys In Ghana Speak Up Forum” in partnership with Gender Ministry.
It was to introduce the JSA Boys Mentorship’s decade-long work initiated in 2015 to the Ministry to support the positive development of boys in Ghana through programmes focused on leadership, mental health, personal development, and countering the effects of father absence.
It was also to observe a collaborative commemoration of the World Day of the Boy Child (WDBC) on May 16, 2025, on the theme: “Building Self-Esteem in Boys: Stand Up, Be Heard, Be Seen.”
It was also to officially invite the Ministry to JSA Boys Mentorship’s 10th Anniversary Mentorship Summit & Contest, scheduled for September 20, 2025, in Accra.
As part of activities leading up to the WDBC celebration, JSA Boys Mentorship convened a select group of student leaders from four schools to participate in an open forum at the Ministry.
The participants included Cecil Cosmas-Gonzalves and Omanye Koney, Christ The King Int. School Cantonments, Papa Gyasi Banful-Quaicoe and Emmanuel Asenso-Mensah Jnr., Mary Mother of Good Counsel School, Others are Mael Martey Korley, Machi N. Oduah, Nii Tetteh Aryee, and Perez Amon Smith Asante @soull clinic International, Soul Clinic School, Jeremiah Komla Mawunyo, also a JSA Boys Mentorship Ambassador, Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC). Mr Jeremiah Komla Mawunyo, JSA’s Ambassador, speaking during the engagement said it was important to recognise boys’ unique struggles and called for more inclusive approaches to child development. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey commended the initiative of JSA Boys Mentorship and applauded the boys for their valuable recommendations during the forum.
She expressed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promoted the welfare of both boys and girls.
She emphasized the Ministry’s ongoing mentorship and empowerment programmes and assured the group of continued partnership in advancing gender equality and youth development.
Present at the meeting were the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, and the Director of the Department of Gender, Madam Faustina Acheampong, who both reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for such meaningful engagements.
The visit also featured a presentation of an advocacy petition and a renewed call on parents to play more active roles in the upbringing of their sons.
The World Day of the Boy Child was Founded in 2018 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh to recognize the unique challenges faced by boys and to celebrate their contributions, the World Day of the Boy Child is observed annually on May 16.
It advocates the healthy development of boys, emphasizing issues such as education, self-esteem, emotional wellbeing, and positive masculinity.
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