World Day of the Boy Child: JSA engages Gender Minister for equal support for boys

Junior Shapers Africa (JSA), a boys’ mentorship and advocacy organization, has engaged the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection ahead of the 2025 World Day of the Boy Child.

Led by its Founding Director, Mrs. Ethel Adjorlolo-Marfo, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Minister, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Wednesday, on May 14.

The engagement aimed to deepen advocacy for the welfare of boys and present key concerns raised by young male students across selected schools in Accra.

It also marks a bold step to spotlight the often-overlooked needs of boys in Ghana’s development discourse.

Students and teachers from Christ The King International School, Mary Mother of Good Counsel School, and Soul Clinic International School joined the meeting to interact with the Minister on issues affecting boys’ growth and development.

The discussions centered on educational inequality, high dropout rates among boys, lack of dedicated support systems, and the need to promote positive masculinity.

The boys called for more inclusive national conversations around child development, stressing the importance of treating boys’ needs with the same urgency often accorded to girls.

They also advocated for more mentorship opportunities, targeted workshops, and greater parental involvement in shaping the moral and emotional wellbeing of boys.

Speaking on behalf of JSA, student ambassador Jeremiah Komla Mawunyo urged the government and society to recognize and respond to the unique struggles boys face in today’s world.

Dr. Lartey welcomed the delegation and commended JSA for championing boys’ issues through mentorship and advocacy.

She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring balanced development for both boys and girls and pledged continued support for initiatives that empower all children.

Also present were the Ministry’s Chief Director, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, and Director of the Department of Gender, Madam Faustina Acheampong, who both expressed support for the ongoing advocacy.

The visit concluded with the presentation of a petition to the Ministry and a renewed national call for parents and stakeholders to actively engage in raising boys who are responsible, emotionally aware, and socially conscious.