Priscilla Naa Aklerh Plange, a gender advocate, has cautioned young people, especially ladies, to desist from taking or allowing sexual moments with their partners to be captured on the phone or camera.
She said that was unacceptable no matter the reason behind it, as it could jeopardise their image and career and worsen the plight of those desiring leadership positions in future.
“Whatever you are doing on social media, if you are having sex and recording to watch later and then delete it, thinking nobody will see it, trust me, people would find out, and it can destroy your future and career opportunities,” she added.
Plange gave advice at an intergenerational dialogue organised by Plan International Ghana in Accra for young people, mostly females, to dialogue and be mentored by influential people, including politicians, legal practitioners, civil society organisations, and the police.
The dialogue was part of Plan International Ghana’s “She Leads” project to empower young girls to promote female leadership.
Plange said young ladies could face challenges or criticisms when they decide to take up a leadership position or enter into politics, however they should be determined, and be willing to make an impact on society.
“When I decided to enter into politics. I had people calling me, you are a woman, what are you going to do in politics? You are a Christian, what are you going to do in politics? But the question is, who should go and make decisions for me?
“Don’t give up your dreams. Know how to talk, build yourself, know how to network, be humble to approach impact-making people and learn from them,” she advised.
Plange also a Personal Assistant to Francis Xavier Sosu, a Human Rights Lawyer and Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency, urged the mentors to identify people walking the path they were interested in and write to them to seek a mentorship opportunity, assuring them that most of the requests would receive positive responses.
“As a woman, it is possible for you to become the President of Ghana one day. Envision yourself in that space. If they don’t give you a seat at that meeting, bring your folding chair to be part of that meeting,” she advised.
Constant Tchona, the Country Director, Plan International Ghana, said cultural, social, economic and political barriers prevented women from taking up leadership positions.
“He has been leading all the time, so this time we want to have the she and more of them leading this time around. How many women were willing to contest in the just-ended Parliamentary election out of the total number of candidates? If you step out as a woman, Ghanaians are willing to vote for you,” he said.
He said if Parliament had more female representation, mentorship would be everywhere and the challenges many young women and girls faced would be easily addressed.
