By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Wa, (UW/R), March 11, GNA – Mr Godwin Achana, the President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) at the University for Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) Chapter, has said investing in women remains a critical pathway to achieving sustainable social, economic and community development.
He said empowering women through equal opportunities, education, and access to resources created a multiplier effect that benefits families, communities, and contributes to national development.
Mr Achana said this during the commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD) organised by the UTAG-UBIDS chapter in collaboration with the University’s Students’ Representative Council (SRC) in Wa, on the theme “Give to Gain.”
The event brought together a cross-section of students and some female achievers in the University as mentors, aimed at empowering females to achieve academic and professional success, and encouraging males’ support for female empowerment.
They were: Professor Felicia Naatu; Dr. Florence Avogo, UTAG Women Executive Officer, UBIDS branch; Dr Eunice Yorgri, UTAG Vice President, UBIDS branch; Madam Shamsia Abdul-Wahab; Madam Cynthia Digadem; Madam Kristonyo Blemayi-Honya and Madam Lydya Faith Nsubuga.
Reflecting on the theme, Mr Achana explained that it underscored the importance of investing in women to realise broader societal progress.
“The theme tries to tell us, in my reflection, that society stands to benefit when they (women) are empowered, supported and given equal opportunities, and this is what we should be advocating for in society.
The theme also suggests that investing in women leads to social, economic, and community development, so women have a multiplier effect wherever they are, in whichever field they find themselves,” Mr Achana explained.
He noted that women had historically played a significant role in development processes across the world, and their contributions had and continue to have far-reaching impacts in various sectors of society and national economies.
Mr Achana, however, observed that despite years of advocacy for gender equality, structural challenges such as patriarchy and male dominance continued to limit women’s full participation in decision-making and leadership.
He said addressing those barriers required deliberate efforts to ensure women’s meaningful participation in all aspects of society beyond mere presence.
Dr. Florence Avogo, the Women’s Executive Officer of the UTAG-UBIDS chapter, indicated that the IWD celebration was aimed at recognising the strength and dedication of women as well as the efforts they continued to make despite numerous challenges.
She noted that the programme sought to encourage young women to remain focused on their aspirations while building their confidence to pursue opportunities in various fields.
“We want women to know that we appreciate every bit of the work they do and that even amid the challenges they face, they continue to overcome them and remain productive in all aspects of their lives,” Dr Avogo said.
She indicated that the mentorship initiative would allow female students to identify mentors who could guide them through their academic journey and professional growth, as mentorship played a crucial role in helping students reach their full potential.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Linda Asante Agyei