WORLD DAY OF THE BOY CHILD 2025: JSA Boys Mentorship hosted the "Boys in Ghana Speak Up Forum" in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection on May 12, 2025. Led by Founding Director Mrs. Ethel Adjorlolo-Marfo, the JSA delegation was received by Honourable Minister Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey and chief directors at the Ministry's Accra headquarters.
The visit served three key purposes: to introduce JSA's decade-long work since 2015 in leadership, mental health, personal development, and countering father absence; to plan the WDBC celebration on May 16 under the theme "Building Self-Esteem in Boys: Stand Up, Be Heard, Be Seen"; and to invite the Ministry to JSA's 10th Anniversary Mentorship Summit & Contest on September 20, 2025, in Accra.
As part of the lead-up to May 16, JSA convened student leaders from four schools for an open forum at the Ministry:
- Christ The King Int. School, Cantonments: Cecil Cosmas-Gonzalves and Omanye Koney
- Mary Mother of Good Counsel School: Papa Gyasi Banful-Quaicoe and Emmanuel Asenso-Mensah Jr.
- Soul Clinic International School: Mael Martey Korley, Machi N. Oduah, Nii Tetteh Aryee, and Perez Amon Smith Asante
- Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC): Jeremiah Komla Mawunyo (JSA Ambassador)
During the forum, the boys raised concerns about limited mentorship opportunities, rising high school drop-out rates among boys, and the lack of adequate mental health support in schools. They called for fair disciplinary practices between boys and girls, enforcement of policies holding fathers accountable for emotional as well as financial support, and expanded workshops to build boys' capacity and self-esteem.
JSA Ambassador Jeremiah Komla Mawunyo highlighted the need to recognize boys' unique struggles and urged more inclusive approaches to their development. In her remarks, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey commended JSA's initiative, praised the boys' recommendations, and reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to ongoing mentorship and empowerment programmes for both boys and girls.
Chief Director Dr. Afisah Zakariah and Department of Gender Director Madam Faustina Acheampong also attended and reiterated the Ministry's support for meaningful engagements like this one. The visit concluded with the presentation of an advocacy petition and a renewed call for parents to take active roles in their sons' upbringing.
About World Day of the Boy Child
Founded in 2018 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, World Day of the Boy Child is observed annually on May 16. It advocates for boys' healthy development, focusing on education, self-esteem, emotional wellbeing, and positive masculinity.
About JSA Boys Mentorship
Established in 2015, JSA Boys Mentorship equips boys across Ghana with mentorship, school clubs, leadership forums, and mental wellness advocacy. The programme has impacted thousands of boys, helping them grow into responsible, empowered, and positively masculine men.
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