By Kingsley Mamore, GNA
Dambai, May 12, GNA – The Paramount Queenmother of the Bimbilla Traditional Area, Jou Ponaa Shefiha Yakubu, has joined calls by the All Regional Queenmothers Association of Ghana for the provision of a mini-bus to facilitate the movement of members across the country.
She said the absence of a dedicated means of transport remained a major challenge for queenmothers, who frequently travel across the 16 regions to attend meetings, undertake advocacy programmes, and engage in community outreach activities.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Jou Ponaa Yakubu emphasised that reliable transportation was essential for the effective discharge of their responsibilities, particularly in promoting culture, peace, and the welfare of women and children.
“For us to effectively carry out our mandate of promoting culture, peace and women’s welfare, we need reliable transport. A branded mini-bus for the association will ease our movement and enhance our visibility,” she stated.
She noted that members often relied on commercial vehicles, which were not only expensive but also time-consuming and, in some instances, unsafe—especially when travelling to remote communities.
According to her, transportation challenges had occasionally led to delays and reduced participation in important events and programmes, where the presence and contributions of queenmothers were critical.
Jou Ponaa Yakubu appealed to the Government, corporate institutions, and philanthropic organisations to support the association’s request, stressing that such assistance would strengthen traditional women leadership and complement government efforts at grassroots development.
Earlier, Nana Otubea II, President of the All Regional Queenmothers Association and Paramount Queenmother of the Nkonya Traditional Area, made a similar appeal, noting that a mini-bus would enable members to respond promptly and efficiently to engagements with state institutions and development partners.
The association serves as a platform for advocacy in areas such as gender equality, cultural preservation, and social development, with members indicating that improved mobility would enhance their outreach activities and responsiveness to community needs.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah