NOYED-Ghana forms women leaders’ platform, youth networks at Savelugu Municipality

By Solomon Gumah

Tamale, Jan. 18, GNA – A District-based Women Leaders’ Platform and Youth Networks to Champion Inclusion Agenda has been formed in the Savelugu Municipality, to promote leadership, inclusion, and meaningful participation of women and youth in decision-making processes in the area. 

It was formed by the Net Organisation for Youth Empowerment and Development 

(NOYED-Ghana), a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), as part of the implementation of the Heard Everywhere and Represented Daily (HEARD) project, which is an initiative of Norsaac, an NGO. 

Members of the Platform and Networks, following their formation and meeting in Tamale, issued a press statement, calling on President John Mahama and his government to prioritise women’s participation in local governance. 

The statement, read by Miss Zeinab Maltiti Mohammed, a Member of the Savelugu Youth Centre, called on the government to ensure that a minimum of 30 per cent appointments to the Savelugu Municipal Assembly were women. 

It said this was a vital step towards rectifying the current underrepresentation of women in local governance and decision-making processes in the area. 

It said, “Our appeal is anchored on several key National Democratic Congress manifesto promises, government policies and international frameworks to which Ghana and President John Mahama have pledged adherence.” 

The statement said “It is noteworthy that women constitute over 50% of the population in the Savelugu Municipality. However, their representation in key decision-making processes remains disproportionately low. This imbalance not only stifles inclusive development but also undermines efforts to address the unique challenges confronted by women and girls in the Savelugu Municipality and beyond.” 

It commended the President for the creation of a new Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment saying, “We look forward with hope to seeing more of the youth serving in your government.” 

Mr Alhassan Abdulai Iddi, the Executive Director, NOYED-Ghana, said the HEARD project was to empower rural vulnerable youth and women, and community-based organisations to increase their funding capacity, diversity in membership and supportive alliances/coalitions to mobilise and influence actions of state actors for inclusive governance. 

Madam Lyena Ama Kakraba, the Gender Desk Officer, Savelugu Municipality, said it was unfortunate that there was only one female government appointee amongst Assembly Members of the Savelugu Municipal Assembly, whose appointments were recently revoked. 

GNA