14-year-old Priscilla takes over as Plan International Ghana Country Director, 21-year-old Juliet as UNICEF OIC to address girls’ issues

On October 13, 2026, Plan International Ghana and UNICEF Ghana hosted Girls' Takeover Day to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child. During the event, 14-year-old Priscilla assumed the role of Country Director for Plan International Ghana and 21-year-old Juliet served as Officer in Charge for UNICEF Ghana. The initiative aimed to address the challenges faced by young girls, especially in the context of climate change.

Priscilla highlighted the impact of climate-related disasters on girls' lives, mentioning how floods, droughts, and extreme heat disrupt education, limit healthcare access, and increase the risk of child marriage. She emphasized that children should be focused on learning, playing, and dreaming about their future, rather than worrying about the effects of climate disasters.

The young participants proposed five key recommendations to address these challenges: keeping girls in school during emergencies, investing in girls' health and essential services during disasters, providing targeted support for vulnerable girls, and including girls in climate-related decision-making. Juliet echoed the sentiments, emphasizing the importance of young people's voices in discussions about their rights and future.

The substantive Country Director of Plan International Ghana and UNICEF Ghana Officer in Charge assured the children that their proposals would be considered for action. The girls concluded the event by calling for an end to child marriage and greater investment in girls' rights, urging stakeholders to work towards a future where every girl has access to education, healthcare, and protection, regardless of the climate challenges they face.