By Erica Apeatua Addo,
Tarkwa (W/A), October 3, GNA – Mr. Cornelius Ahiekpor, the Wassa Amenfi West Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has urged women to serve as role models in their homes, workplaces, and communities by demonstrating honesty, fairness, respect for law and accountability. Â
He made the call at the Presbyterian Church in Asankrangwa when the NCCE organized a follow-up women empowerment programme for women who had participated in an earlier engagement on the rule of law, corruption, accountability, among others.
He said the follow-up sessions were held to access how participants had applied the knowledge from the initial engagement, clarify misconceptions, and strengthen their confidence to contribute to the fight against corruption and other forms of misconduct.
Mr. Ahiekpor noted that during the interactive sessions, participants shared their experiences and explained how the knowledge gained from the first engagement had influenced their attitude and actions.
He further said others indicated that the programme made them more conscious of their civic responsibilities and the need to promote honesty, fairness, and accountability in their activities.
Participants also used the discussion to seek clarification on difficult issues, particularly those related to corruption, reporting suspected wrongdoing, and exercing their rights and responsibilities as citizens, Mr. Ahiekpor said.
Mr. Ebenezer Twum Ampofo, the Municipal Director for Commission on Human Rights and Administration Justice (CHRAJ) encouraged women to speak up against unethical practices and use appropriate, lawful reporting mechanisms to report suspected wrongdoings.
He cautioned the participants not to rely on rumours or take matters into their own hands, stressed the importance of gathering relevant information and using established channels to report concerns.
Mrs. Nora Esiaw, the first lady of Ebenezer Methodist Church, on her part said “The programme has helped us understand that we all have a responsibility to promote integrity. We will continue to share what we have learned with our families and other members in our communities”.
Madam Zinab Seidu, a market woman who participated in the programme, shared how she resisted paying bribe at the police station when she accompanied a friend to seek bail for a relative.
Fifty-one women attended the engagement which was under the project, “Civic engagements on the rule of law and the fight against corruption, an initiative under the Participation, Accountability, and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) programme.
It was commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). It is implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga /Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter Erica Apeatua Addo