Tamale: An awards-based competition focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was recently held for female students from selected Senior High Schools in the Northern Region. The event aimed to raise awareness and deepen students' understanding of the SDGs while promoting innovation, critical thinking, and empowering girls to lead change in their schools and communities.
According to Ghana News Agency, the competition was organized by Norsaac, a civil society organization, in partnership with ActionAid Ghana under the theme: 'Climate Action for a Sustainable Future'. Participants included members of the Young Female Platform (YFP) project, an initiative implemented in Senior High Schools to bridge the gap in female leadership. Schools that participated were Ghana SHS (Ghanasco), Northern School of Business SHS, Bimbilla SHS, Yendi SHS, and Gushegu SHS.
The competition featured innovative solutions aligned with SDGs four, five, eight, and 13, under themes such as 'Empowering Women and Girls: Promoting Gender Equality in Schools and Workplaces', 'Trees for Tomorrow: From Seeds to Shield', 'Green Ghanasco for Future Generations', 'Girls for the Green Future', and 'Breaking Barriers: Empowering Students for Gender Equality'.
Ghanasco emerged as the overall winner, receiving GHc5,000 and a certificate. Gushegu SHS placed second and received GHc3,000 and a certificate, while the Northern School of Business SHS came third, taking home GHc2,000 and a certificate. Bimbilla SHS and Yendi SHS placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
Madam Salimah Abdulai, YFP Project Officer at Norsaac, speaking during the competition in Tamale, highlighted that the event was not solely about winning but about evaluating the students' creativity and innovation. She emphasized the importance of inspiring girls to confidently express their ideas and aspire to leadership roles, urging the award winners to use the funds prudently for the sustainable implementation of their proposed projects.
Madam Alia Mumuni, a Programmes Officer at ActionAid Ghana, expressed satisfaction with the confidence, intelligence, and creativity displayed by the students. Mr Mashud Zakaria, Chief Inspector of Schools, Northern Regional Directorate of Education, commended Norsaac and ActionAid Ghana for implementing the project, noting that it complemented government efforts to promote inclusive education.
Miss Osman Muslimah Maligu, a student from Ghanasco, described the competition as a rewarding experience and shared that her school plans to plant 50 mango trees to help preserve the school's environment.
