Seventy-five (75) students of the St. Mary’s Senior High School Air Force Cadet corps in Korle Gonno, Accra, have expressed interest in pursuing peace and security careers following a girls’ outreach session held in commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD). The girls’ outreach, which was organized by FOSDA on Saturday, 28th March 2026, with funding from Global Affairs Canada, highlighted the role of young girls under the theme “Give to Gain.”

Key resource persons engaged the young girls on relevant themes in the mainstream security sector and human security perspectives. Speaking on the role of women in the Immigration Service, Chief Superintendent Evelyn Danquah Kottoh of the Ghana Immigration Service noted that emotional intelligence is a key skill for immigration officers, helping to make visitors feel safe, respected, and welcomed. She added that the presence of female officers is crucial at borders since it creates a comfortable atmosphere for women during the screening process, which plays a key role in detecting and preventing human trafficking. The young girls were encouraged to report suspicious activity related to trafficking in their communities, as it constitutes a serious crime with both national and international consequences.

On her part, Chief Superintendent Mabel Norve of the Ghana Prison Service noted that the prison system’s goal is reformation and giving people a second chance, not just punishment. Highlighting the role of women in the prisons, she added that female officers add value by assisting with searches of female visitors, supporting pregnant inmates or those with children, and contributing to a less intimidating environment. She urged the participants not to stigmatize former inmates, as many may be in prison due to circumstances beyond their control and deserve to be reintegrated properly into society.

Madam Semefa Asimenu, from the National Peace Council, sensitized participants on soft security skills, including the use of dialogue over direct confrontation, building harmony, adopting a calm posture during arguments, and making efforts to rebuild relationships. She encouraged the girls to promote peace conversations in schools and clubs, speak up against bullying, and discourage gossip, as it creates tension among students. She urged them to remain ambassadors of peace both on and off campus.

From a civil society perspective, Madam Gloria Kankam, a gender equality advocate, used the occasion to sensitize the girls on the WPS agenda in Ghana, focusing on its four pillars: Participation, Prevention, Protection, and Relief and Recovery. She finally called on the girls to focus on adding value to their education and future professions, urging them to embody the IWD theme of “Give to Gain” by helping their peers build confidence, reminding them that they are the future catalysts for peace.