As part of this year’s Ghana Association of Writers and Book Festival (GAWBO FEST), the Duo Concept Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people through literary projects and engagement, organized a session called ‘Up Girl Project’ for schoolchildren drawn from basic and second cycle institutions in Accra for a day of reading and discussion around the main theme of the book “Talata, the Child Bride”, published by Adwinsa Publications Ghana Limited. The book addresses the issue of child marriage in Ghana with emphasis on the girl child.

The Up Girl Project is one the interventions undertaken by Duo Concept Foundation which is aimed at empowering the youth to make informed decisions through knowledge acquisition and sharing. The side event was graced by Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment Alhaji Dr Rashid Pelpuo; Member of Parliament for North Dayi Jocelyn Quashie; and the Deputy Director of the Parliamentary Broadcasting Department Peter Azameti Bamfo who encouraged the students to be focused with their studies. The North Dayi MP made a donation of math sets to participants.

The second day of the 2-Day literary festival saw the Principal Marshal at Parliament House, Wing Cdr. Frederick Bawa (Rtd) join participants where he encouraged them to be bold and overcome shyness. He underscored the project’s impact of motivating individuals who are faced with challenges especially those from disadvantaged households. He therefore urged them to continue their pursuit of knowledge and assert themselves when confronted with abuse. Also joining the mentorship session alongside Wing Commander Bawa were Madam Lawrencia Thompson, a communications expert and child rights advocate, and Adjoa Nyanteng Yenyi, a specialist on adolescent and youth development issues who urged participants to be respectful when delivering information however they must be intentional with the information in order to leave a lasting impact.