By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Accra, Sept.11. GNA- Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has called for a rewrite of the rules governing work-related engagements in Ghana to ensure that talent, not gender, determines opportunities.
Speaking at the “She Build Conference” in Accra on Thursday, the Minister said true progress required investing in education, health, enterprise, and leadership opportunities for women and girls.
She said women were capable but underutilised, visible yet under valued, adding: “It is time to redefine power and change mindsets, from seeing women as beneficiaries to recognising them as equal partners.”
The conference, organised by the Academic Woman Foundation, brought together women from academia, the legal profession, engineering, entrepreneurship, and the built environment to discuss ways of advancing female leadership in male-dominated fields.
On the themed: “Where women are, Where are we going, and What we need to do,” the conference provided a platform for accomplished women to share their stories and inspire younger participants to take up leadership roles.
Dr Lartey said power must depict influence, impacts and inclusion, adding “Power must not be a privilege of a few; it must be a shared capacity of many.”
She noted that while Ghana had made strides in amplifying women’s voices, harmful practices, stereotypes, and exclusion from the formal economy continued to silence many.
Women, she argued, remained underutilized despite their proven capabilities and contributions across various sectors, saying that “when women step fully into their power, communities thrive, societies prosper, and nations rise.”
The Minister said women belonged at the heart of decision-making and innovation, and that “moving to the centre of leadership is not a favour but justice, it is not symbolic; it is a strategy, and no nation can prosper if half of its population is left behind.”
Dr Anatu Mahama, the Founder, Academic Women Foundation, said the She Builds Conference sought to empower women to take up leadership roles and help elevate their carrier aspirations.
She stressed the need for women to be encouraged to progress in their education and not drop out of school, and encouraged to take up courses in male dominated fields.
“It is important that women are made more visible in their work places so that young girls can look up to them,” Dr Mahama said.
Professor Lydia Aziato, Vice Chancellor of University of Health and Allied Sciences, said the number of women in leadership roles in Ghana was still low due to organisational factors like unfair evaluation of women at work places.
She said females could still attain higher positions when they expanded their networks, establish realistic goals, embrace change and built positive beliefs in their abilities.
Prof Aziato urged women to develop their skills, be proactive to took up opportunities, and be self confident.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe