By Solomon Gumah,
Tamale, March 09, GNA – The CelebrateHER Empowering Women Summit has been held to recognise the contribution of women to local and national development as part of activities to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).
The summit, organised by Balmaisha Foundation, an NGO committed to supporting preterm babies and their families, was in collaboration with the Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Ghana), Norsaac, Tiyumba Hope Foundation, LittleBig Souls, Fatimah Gomda Cares Foundation, Bright Path Foundation and Verna Water.
It was under the theme: “Empowering Women, Accelerating Change”, and attended by various relevant stakeholders in the women empowerment space, traditional authorities, students from second cycle institutions, among others.
The CelebrateHER Empowering Women Summit seeks to celebrate the outstanding contributions of women, and the invaluable support of men, who have stood as allies and champions of women’s empowerment in Northern Ghana.
Mrs Fayudatu Yakubu, Executive Director of Balmaisha Foundation, speaking at the summit in Tamale, said it was a platform to amplify women’s voices, recognise their achievements and inspire action towards a more just and equitable world.
She said, “As we commemorate IWD, we are reminded that when we empower women, we accelerate change, not just for them, but for families, communities and the entire nation.”
Mrs Yakubu explained that the summit was deeply rooted to her personal journey adding “As a mother, who experienced the challenges of having a preterm baby, I understand the fear, uncertainty, and struggles that mothers in similar situations have endured. This experience inspired the establishment of Balmaisha Foundation, a haven that stands in the gap for mothers of preterm babies, offering them the care, information, and support they need in one of the most difficult times in their lives.”
She said true empowerment required collective action and called on all stakeholders to help create platforms that highlighted and celebrated the contributions of women, who were breaking barriers, shaping industries and driving positive change.
Madam Rumanatu Jibrila, Youth Empowerment Manager at Norsaac, encouraged young women and girls to look out for role models and mentors, who would guide them to make meaningful decisions that would enable them to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Some individuals were recognised and awarded for their invaluable contribution to women empowerment and community development.
They included Professor Adiza Sadik, Senior Lecturer at the Tamale Technical University, Hajia Hawawu Alice Salifu, a retired banker and traditional leader, Madam Emelia Ayipio Asamoah, Head of Workforce Development at the Mastercard Foundation, Mbitawurche Alijata Haruna, women empowerment advocate, Madam Leila Shaibu, preterm babies advocate, Mr Peter Mintir Amadu, Executive Director, Total Life Enhancement Centre, Mr Benjamin Dimongo Kafari, Executive Director, ASERD-Ghana.
GNA
EA/AD