Former Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Otoo Ellis, has encouraged school girls to stay focused and be passionate about achieving their set goals.

He said it was important for every one of them to have vision for themselves and work hard, with confidence and perseverance to live their dreams.

He was speaking at a leadership and enrichment camp for 2,113 girls selected from five senior high schools (SHS) in the Central Region – Mfantsiman, Apam, Aggrey Memorial, Edinaman and Twifo Praso.

An NGO, Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) are the organizers of this year’s training programme, which would last for one week and being held at the KNUST.

“Empowering young women for change” is the theme chosen for the event, sponsored by MasterCard Foundation.

The girls are receiving training on time management, financial management, leadership skills training, reproductive health, community give-back, role modeling and problem solving skills.

It is part of a 10-year partnership between CAMFED and MasterCard Foundation towards the promotion of quality education and comprehensive support to academically-gifted young women in rural communities.

The former VC said the goal was to provide them with the relevant tools and motivate them to become more assertive, to overcome the stereotypes.

Mrs. Vida Owusu, Kumasi Metropolitan Director for Girls’ Education, said the programme was providing a unique opportunity to mentor the girls.

She added that it was a learning platform to help them to gain deeper understanding of issues around community leadership, service and give back.

The focus, she said, was to empower the young women with the requisite attributes, skills and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to the development agenda of their communities.