The headmaster of Bolgatanga Senior High School in Ghana’s Upper East Region, Mr. Anthony Adimazoya, has explained that educational institutions around the world are working to promote gender equality and ensure that girls are given equal opportunities to participate in leadership and decision-making processes.
Speaking under the theme “Advocacy for Girls’ Leadership Roles in Senior High Schools: The Case of Big Boss Prefectorial Elections”, he noted that leadership is a vital component of education. Beyond academic excellence, he said schools are expected to nurture responsible, confident, and visionary young people who can contribute meaningfully to society.
Mr. Adimazoya stated that one of the most effective ways of achieving this is through student leadership opportunities such as the prefectorial system. For many years, he said, educational institutions globally have promoted gender equality by ensuring that girls have equal chances to take up leadership roles and contribute to decisions.
As a school committed to excellence, Bolgatanga Senior High School recognizes that empowering girls to occupy leadership positions is not only about fairness, but also a strategic investment in the future of the nation.He added that the Bolgatanga Senior High School (Big Boss) Prefect position is the highest student leadership office in the school.
He said the role demands vision, discipline, integrity, responsibility, and the ability to unite students toward a common purpose. These qualities, he emphasized, are not determined by gender, as they can be found in both boys and girls who are willing to serve and lead with dedication.
He therefore called for an environment where every qualified student regardless of gender feels encouraged and empowered to contest for leadership positions. This aligns with the school’s mission: “Achieving excellence through harnessing available resources to provide opportunities for students to unearth their potentials irrespective of gender.”
Mr. Adimazoya said girls possess immense potential, creativity, resilience, and leadership ability, which can greatly contribute to the progress of the school community. He also noted that when girls are given opportunities to lead, they inspire other young women to believe in their abilities and aspire to greater heights.
According to him, research and experience have shown that institutions that promote gender-inclusive leadership often benefit from diverse perspectives, improved decision-making, and stronger collaboration.
He said encouraging girls to contest in the Big Boss prefectorial elections enriches the democratic culture and strengthens the school’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.
Mr. Anthony therefore urged all female students to step forward confidently and not allow stereotypes, fear, or societal expectations to limit their ambitions. He emphasized that leadership begins with the courage to serve, believe in one’s abilities, prepare adequately, and take advantage of every opportunity to develop leadership skills.
He also appealed to male students to support a culture of fairness and mutual respect. He stressed that leadership should be based on competence, character, and vision—not gender. He urged students to judge candidates by their capacity to serve and their commitment to the welfare of the student body.He further called on teachers and staff, saying their role in mentoring and encouraging young especially girls remains indispensable. Through their guidance, students can develop the confidence and skills needed to carry out leadership responsibilities effectively.
Mr. Adimazoya said they are about to swear in the new Big Boss Prefectorial Board led by Miss Badiburu Keziah Wemoyei. He urge everyone to reaffirm their commitment to a democratic process that gives every student an equal chance to compete and excel.
He added that advocating for girls’ leadership roles is not about replacing one group with another. Rather, it is about ensuring equal opportunity, promoting diversity, and building a stronger, more inclusive school community.By encouraging girls to participate actively in leadership, he said they are being prepared to become the future leaders, professionals, policymakers, and change-makers of the nation.
He expressed hope that by working together, they can break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and empower every student to realize their leadership potential.
Source:mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Adongo Ayuureneeya.