24 Girls from four Junior High Schools namely Prisdark Academy, Queen Janes School, St Michael School and SDA School participated in this year's A New Dawn class held at Prisdark Academy, Nungua from the 13th to the 21st of August 2018. A New Dawn is a 6 lesson locally designed curriculum prepared to give girls the needed knowledge and tools to pursue excellence in every aspect of life. It also gives them the opportunity to learn about sex and how to protect themselves as young girls. Before girls were accepted into the program, they filled out application forms at an insignificant fee and attached their terminal reports. Selected girls were interviewed to earn a seat in the class.
The excitement began on the first day when girls came together to draft their vision statements and goals. When Gladys, one of the participants was asked what her vision was , she said, "I want to be a pharmacist" but at the end of the class she came up with a more audacious vision that serves the world. Sherrie Thompson, CEO of Sunshade energy and a 2015 made in Ghana Brand Ambassador was the guest of honor. " Girls you need to read and learn", said Sherrie to the girls as she inspired and motivated them to take their books seriously. She also shared numerous stories about her daughter who read 10 books every month to challenge the girls.
Day three was eye opening as girls discussed adolescence, sex and relationships. Jocelyn a 14 year old girl mentioned how she was threatened by a boy when she refused to accept his proposal in school. The photographers on the day, who coincidentally happened to be men also joined to share their perspective. 99% of girls in the room on the day had been proposed to at some point in their life and had no clue about the right thing to do.
On the final day, Henrietta Adjetey, CEO of Brand E, a branding company with about 20 employees spoke to the girls on how she started her business. “Always start small and do not forget you need people to build”, said Henrietta as she encouraged girls not to forget about their dreams of helping the society by solving a problem. A few parents were also present to learn about the program and the activities their daughters were engaged in throughout the week.
"It was awesome and we do not want it to end", said Ruth, one of the participated as she prepared to leave the premises with the rest of her friends. Other guests who visited during the week were heads of schools, teachers and parents of the girls.
Watch a short video of the experience: