By: Franklin Asare-Donkoh
The Speaker of the West Mamprusi Municipality Children’s Parliament, 15-year-old Beatrice Laari Dammigu, has appealed to the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Mr. George Opare Addo, to intensify efforts to tackle drug abuse and educational inequality.
According to her, drug abuse among young people continues to destroy the dreams of many girls and boys across Ghana, especially those in her municipality.
Miss Dammigu, addressing journalists at the office of the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment after her day as the new minister, revealed that drug abuse among pupils is on the rise in the West Mamprusi Municipality.
“Today, in my capacity as Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, I wish to draw urgent attention to one of the most pressing issues facing girls.
A recent report by Plan International, titled ‘Let Me Be a Child, Not a Wife – Girls’ Experiences of Living through Child Marriage,’ reveals shocking statistics: each year, 12 million girls are married before their 18th birthday — that’s one girl every three seconds.
The report, which documents the experiences of 200 married girls across 10 countries, makes one thing very clear — that child marriage robs girls of their childhood, their rights, and their future,” she stated.
The Speaker of the West Mamprusi Municipality Children’s Parliament emphasised that child marriage is a practice that must not be tolerated, encouraged, or ignored.
Miss Dammigu also used the opportunity to appeal for the construction of a dedicated Junior High School and a library in Walewale.
“Currently, the only girls’ school in my municipality — the one I attend — operates out of the Walewale Primary School compound, with inadequate infrastructure.
We need a proper learning environment to ensure more girls can access education and thrive,” she stressed.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the media, I am deeply honoured and excited to stand before you today as I symbolically take over the office of the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo.
This is no ordinary takeover. It is a historic moment, as Hon. Opare Addo is Ghana’s first-ever minister appointed to this newly created portfolio. His decision to open his office to a young girl leader like me is a powerful testament to his belief in the power and potential of girls and young people — not just as future leaders, but as leaders of today,” Miss Dammigu noted.
The West Mamprusi Municipality Children’s Parliament is a vibrant platform comprising over 30 passionate child parliamentarians.
The platform was formed by Plan International Ghana in 2023 and has become a beacon for child-led advocacy, raising their voices on issues such as teenage pregnancy, child labour, and child marriage.
