By Norbert Mao
The Paramount Chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II, has issued a strong call for collective responsibility in promoting and protecting the education of the girl child in the Acholi sub-region.
Rwot Acana made the appeal yesterday during his 60th birthday celebrations, held under the theme “Empowering Girl Child Education in Acholi Region,” in an event took place at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City and attracted hundreds of cultural leaders, education stakeholders, political figures, development partners, and members of the Acholi community.
In his address, the Acholi Paramount Chief emphasized that educating a girl child is key to transforming families and communities, noting that the region continues to face challenges that hinder girls from accessing and completing education and cited poverty, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and lack of proper school facilities as some of the major barriers affecting girls in Acholi.
Rwot Acana urged parents and guardians to prioritise keeping their daughters in school, while also calling on leaders at all levels to strengthen policies and interventions that support girl child education and also stressed that cultural institutions, religious leaders, and government must work hand in hand to address harmful practices and attitudes that undermine the future of girls.
The celebration was not only symbolic but also practical, as it doubled as a fundraising drive aimed at improving learning conditions for girls in the region with funds mobilised during the event will go towards the construction of girls’ dormitories at Kitgum High School and Padibe Girls Secondary School. Additionally, part of the funds will support the construction of changing rooms at Paibona Primary School, in Gulu District to improve sanitation and dignity for young girls.
Other stakeholders who attended the celebration also noted that inadequate infrastructure has been one of the contributing factors to school dropouts among girls, especially in rural areas where long distances and lack of accommodation expose learners to risks.
As Rwot Acana marked six decades of life and leadership, he reaffirmed his commitment to championing social development initiatives, particularly in education and called upon all Acholi sons and daughters, as well as partners, to take deliberate action in ensuring that every girl in the region has access to quality education and a safe learning environment.
The 60th birthday celebration of the Acholi Paramount Chief therefore served not only as a milestone of personal achievement, but also as a renewed call to action for the transformation of the Acholi sub-region through education with the main celebration featuring cultural performances, speeches, and pledges of support from various stakeholders committed to improving the welfare of the girl child.
