Accra: Stakeholders in education, religion, and child development have raised concerns over what they describe as the growing neglect of Ghana's boy child. They warned that poor mentorship, declining school retention, harmful social media influence, and emotional neglect are leaving many boys vulnerable and without direction.
According to Ghana News Agency, the concerns were raised at a program organized in Accra by the Church of Pentecost Schools Outreach Ministry, in collaboration with the Pentecost Men's Ministry and the Ghana Education Service (GES), ahead of the International Day for the Boy Child, observed annually on May 16. Held under the theme, 'Flourish and Thrive: Investing and Unleashing Boys for Strong Families and Communities,' the event brought together educators, church leaders, and policymakers who called for intentional support for boys while sustaining gains made in girl-child empowerment.
Apostle Professor Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, Vice Chancellor of Pentecost University, emphasized that the boy child must not be ignored in conversations on leadership, education, family stability, and national transformation. He highlighted challenges confronting many boys, including violence, substance abuse, educational decline, emotional neglect, and the absence of positive role models.
"The boy child is a future leader and should not be denied opportunities. When boys are trained well, society becomes safer and stronger, and they contribute meaningfully to national development," Apostle Prof Agyapong-Kodua said. He expressed concern that many boys were increasingly turning to social media for direction due to the absence of fathers and mentors in their lives.
He urged boys to avoid drugs and negative peer pressure, encouraging teachers and parents to model discipline, integrity, and good values. "A boy trained with values becomes a man with impact," he added. Touching on technology, Prof Agyapong-Kodua urged society to encourage boys to become creators of technology rather than merely consumers.
Elder Barima Acheampong Sarpong II, Deputy Director of the Pentecost Men's Ministry and Chief of Asante Asaman in the Ashanti Region, said society needed to critically examine the plight of boys. He acknowledged that sustained advocacy for girls had produced positive results but noted that emerging statistics pointed to worrying declines among boys.
"As we celebrate the International Day for the Boy Child, I urge every man to identify one boy child, find out how he is doing, and dedicate some time to mentoring him," he said. "We believe in you and your future. You are not an accident, and God has something special for you," he told the boys present.
Madam Gifty Asiedu, Director of the Girls' Education Unit at the GES Headquarters, stressed that supporting the boy child should not come at the expense of progress made in girl-child education. She explained that the Service was implementing gender-responsive education to ensure classroom teaching addressed the needs of both boys and girls equally.
Pastor Frank Mensah Tandoh, National Coordinator of the Church of Pentecost Schools Outreach Ministry, noted that statistics from the BECE and WASSCE showed more girls were now sitting the examinations than boys. He clarified that organizers were not advocating reduced support for girls but rather equal attention for boys.
Stakeholders at the event called on parents, teachers, religious leaders, and policymakers to work together in providing mentorship, guidance, and equal opportunities for both boys and girls. They emphasized that the strength of every nation depended largely on the character, wellbeing, and development of its young people.
Source: Ghana News Agency