Accra: Dr Freda Prempeh, the Founder of the Ultimate Women Foundation (UWF), has urged Ghanaians to help protect girls against cancers and related diseases as the world celebrates this year's International Mother's Day. UWF seeks to encourage and motivate indigenous and vulnerable women and girls to know their worth and empower them to contribute to the development of their communities and the larger society.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Prempeh emphasized that girls, as future mothers of the nation, could grow to become healthier and responsible women if they were protected against life-threatening diseases like cervical cancer. She highlighted the proven efficacy of the HPV vaccine against cancers, stating that with the availability of the vaccine in the nation, families should encourage their girls to receive the shots for protection.
Dr Prempeh, who is also the former Member of Parliament for Tano North Constituency, noted the importance of focusing on the challenges that impede the holistic growth and development of girls as the nation celebrates Mother's Day. She expressed concern that despite public education and awareness efforts, socio-cultural, traditional, and religious beliefs that are detrimental to the growth of women and girls continue to persist.
These beliefs, Dr Prempeh pointed out, have contributed to early and forced marriages, widow rites, and other severe forms of abuse against women and girls in some parts of the country. She called for support to help girls achieve higher education and pursue their life careers while advocating for increased economic support for indigenous women to improve their lives.
Dr Prempeh concluded by underscoring the essential role of mothers in the family, emphasizing the need to support and celebrate them for their contributions to providing for the family and facilitating the proper upbringing of children.
