Actresses/Actors Extol Education of Girl-child

The National Theatre in collaboration with Action Aid Ghana, Care International and the Swedish National Theatre, have embarked on a nationwide drama show to educate parents about the need to send their children to school, particularly the girl-child.

The campaign also seeks to educate people about the rights of the child enshrined in the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child. Madam Dzifa Glikpoe, acting Artistic Director of the National Theatre, Edina Atatsie and Ruth Ocantey were among the popular actresses who acted at Yendi Municipality on Monday in a play titled: "Cinderella" that attracted a large crowd.

"Cinderella," a popular foreign movie, depicted in a Ghanaian context, tells a story of how a young lady was maltreated by the step-mother after the mother's death and later excelled in her career and marriage despite difficulties. The team had already toured the Upper East, Upper West with similar performances.

Madam Dzifa said the stage drama was put together to re-emphasized the need for parents to be responsible to their ward's education to become good citizens of the country, adding that students must be given the opportunity to air their views. She also encouraged students to be serious with their academic work and participate in public speaking to give them the confidence they needed.

Madam Vida Abakwam, Administrator of Action Aid, Northern Region said the NGO collaborated because of the message of the drama, which was to empower the girl-child on issues of their education and for them to understand their rights.

"When girl-child is well educated about her rights, she would be able to defend it confidently and resist people who may want to abuse her" she stressed.

Madam Abakwam said Action Aid had been working with women and children and vulnerable championing their concerns to policy makers and advocating their needs. She said it was time the nation focused on major issues that were affecting the poor to give them a better standard of living.