Source:Government of Ghana
As part of activities marking the International Women’s Day celebration, the first ever Ghana Women’s Summit was organised to celebrate the achievements of Women in the country.
Addressing the summit, which was organised by the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection in Accra on Monday, Dr Rabiatu Ammah, a member of the Council of State, who represented the President, said it was government’s aim to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, hence, creating equal opportunities for both men and women for a holistic national development.
Dr Rabiatu Ammah, therefore, pledged government’s commitment to ensuring an all-inclusive society where the disadvantaged would have a stake in the developmental process and progress.
She said the tripling of the Ministry’s budget for 2014 was evidence of that commitment and gave the assurance that the Ministry would be supported to carry out its objectives.
She commended the Ministry for organising such an event to provide a platform to celebrate the achievements of women, and draw inspiration from other women.
Nana Oye Lithur, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, said as Ghana was about to celebrate her independence day, it was necessary to celebrate the role of women in the attainment of freedom in the country.
Nana Lithur mentioned Mabel Dove Danquah, Justice Annie Ruth Jiagge, Mrs Akua Asabea, Mrs Hannah Cudjoe, Mrs Mary Koranteng, Mrs Susana Alhassan, Mrs Regina Asamany, Mrs Grace Ayensu, Mrs Christiana Wilmot, Mrs Comfort Asomoah, and Mrs Lucy Anim as some women whose effort led to the attainment of independence of the country.
She gave the assurance that Government would continue to create an enabling environment to honour its national commitment and international obligation towards women and praised Ghanaian women for steadily breaking up the pink glass ceilings to achieve success for the growth of the country, noting particularly the admission of queen mothers into the National and Regional House of Chiefs.
Nanba Lithur recounted the achievements of the Ministry, noting that it had spearheaded the drafting of an affirmative action bill to be laid before parliament, co-sponsored the Intestate Succession bill and Property Rights of Spouse’s bill, Regulations on Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence, review of the Disability Act and accelerated the campaign against gender-based violence— all in recognition of the safety of women.
Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, a former Member of the Council of State, challenged parliament to give special attention to bills concerning the protection of women.
Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie observed that the participation of the male counterparts during the celebration made a strong statement to the effect that there was the need to develop together for a holistic and sustainable nation building.