By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, July 7, GNA – Muslim women have been urged to strengthen their faith, pursue knowledge and engage in community development to contribute effectively to national progress.
Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations at the Office of the President, made the call at a durbar and fundraising ceremony to climax the 2026 Greater Accra Regional Conference of the Ghana Muslim Mission Women’s Fellowship (GMMWF).
He said empowering women through faith and education would strengthen families, communities and the nation.
“By empowering women through faith and knowledge, you are not only transforming individual lives, you are helping to build stronger homes, stronger communities and ultimately a stronger Ghana,” he said.
Mr Ankrah reminded participants that Islam placed equal importance on education for both men and women, noting that the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the command to read.
He urged Muslim women to remain steadfast in seeking knowledge while remaining committed to their faith.
Mrs Nadia Annan, Deputy Director in charge of Planning and Statistics at the Kpone Katamanso Municipal Education Office, said genuine empowerment for Muslim women began with understanding their worth in the sight of Allah.
“Sometimes empowerment is continuing to pray through pain, continuing to trust in Allah when life feels uncertain and continuing to show kindness when your own heart feels heavy,” she said.
Mrs Annan encouraged women to pursue both religious and secular knowledge regardless of age, citing the example of an elderly Muslim woman who persevered until she successfully completed reading the Holy Quran independently.
“Knowledge changes a person. It builds confidence, opens doors and protects us from ignorance and misinformation,” she added.
Ms Hamdiya Obeng, member of GMMWF, said the three-day conference had provided members with practical knowledge and skills to improve their lives and support their communities.
She said participants received training in insurance and financial preparedness, basic life support by the Ghana Ambulance Service and fire safety by the Ghana National Fire Service.
The conference also featured debate and cooking competitions for members of the Young Ladies Forum to nurture leadership, creativity and confidence among young Muslim girls.
It was held on the theme: “Empowering Muslim Women through Faith, Knowledge and Community Engagement.”
“As Muslim women, our empowerment begins with faith in Allah, is strengthened through the pursuit of knowledge and is demonstrated through meaningful service and engagement within our communities,” Ms Obeng said.
She noted that since its establishment in 1967, the Fellowship had promoted Islamic education, women’s leadership, Da’wah activities and social development across the country.
It had contributed significantly to educational development through day care centres, educational infrastructure, leadership training programmes and income-generating initiatives for women.
The conference ended with the inauguration of new regional executives, council members and welfare committee of the Fellowship, with outgoing executives and outstanding members recognised.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Hafsa Obeng