By Godfred A. Polkuu
Bolgatanga, March 09, GNA – Mr. Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, says the journey to equality requires sustained efforts and unwavering dedication.
He, therefore, called for a network that foster professional, personal growth and development of every woman, saying, “We can build a society where every woman and girl can live free of discrimination, pursue her dreams, and contribute meaningfully to our shared future.”
Mr. Atanga was speaking on the theme: “For All Women and Girls’ Rights to Equality and Empowerment” at this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration, organised by the Women Poultry and Livestock Association (WOPOLA) in Bolgatanga.
The IWD is observed annually on March 8 as a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and marks a call to action to accelerate women’s equality.
The Minister said the theme for this year’s celebration was a call to action, and reaffirmation of collective commitment to advancing human rights, ensure gender equality, and empower women to reach their fullest potential.
He said: “Right from the bustling markets to the farmlands; education to healthcare; science to technology; women and girls in Ghana, and across the world, have played pivotal roles in nurturing families, communities, and driving economic development.”
He expressed concern that despite the immeasurable contributions of women, many of them still faced challenges such as gender-based violence, discrimination, child marriage, limited access to education and economic disparities.
Mr. Atanga said these barriers must be broken through policy reforms, community support and collaborative efforts of all stakeholders.
“As a Government, we remain committed to ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full rights. We have made strides in promoting gender-responsive policies, increasing women’s representation in governance, and enhancing access to education and healthcare as a country,” he said.
He further acknowledged that despite strives by government to promote gender responsive policies, more still needed to be done as a nation.
“It is against this background that the NDC under its Reset agenda wants to establish Women’s Development Bank as a special-purpose vehicle to support women-owned and women-led businesses with low-interest loans and other tailored financial services on very flexible terms.
“We are also committed to implementing the Affirmative Action Act of 2024 (Act 1121) to ensure gender equity across political, social, economic, and cultural divides,” the Minister said.
Madam Theresa Benedicta Alegmiah, the President of the WOPOLA, advocated for women, girls and the physically challenged to have the right to keep sheep, goats, local birds, guinea fowls among others.
She said women, girls and the physically challenged should also be empowered through capacity building to keep animals as well as engage in other activities such as food crops and vegetable farming.
Madam Alegmiah, said the WOPOLA was proud to mark the IWD in the Region for the first time, to support the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection at the Regional level.
She called on all stakeholders to partner WOPOLA to alleviate poverty in the lives of women, girls and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Ghana, and thanked management of the Savannah Investment Programme (SIP) based in Tamale, for the financial support to organize the programme.
GNA
FAA/BM