By Erica Apeatua Addo
Tarkwa (WR), Nov 23, GNA – To formalise into policy, the 30% campaign, on allocation of Minerals Development Fund (MDF) for women’s economic empowerment and girl-child education, Friends of the Nation (FoN), in collaboration with OXFAM has organised a fellow-up meetings in two assemblies.
The meetings focused on developing gender-responsive, socially inclusive, and economically oriented indicators for the allocation of mineral revenue, alongside specific interventions to promote gender equity, social inclusion, and economic empowerment.
At Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly, the meeting was held in Tarkwa, while in Ellembelle District Assembly, in Nkroful respectively.
Mrs Amanda Pokuaa Adjei, the Development Planning Officer at Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly emphasised the assembly’s commitment to continuously invest in women’s economic empowerment and girl-child education, recognising their crucial role in community development.
She stressed that to make these efforts more effective, the 30% allocation of MDF for women’s economic empowerment and girl-child education should be formalised into policy.
The meetings saw active participation, with Miss Paulina Erzoah, a member of the Agents of Change Fishing Farming Association in the Ellembelle district, advocating for 30% of the MDF to be allocated to a separate account specifically for women-focused initiatives.
Mr William Augustine Dankyi, Project Officer, FoN, on behalf of the Executive Director of FoN, urged the local authorities and assemblies to continue to prioritise the needs of women and children, reiterating that at least 30% of the MDF should be used to empower women and children.
He emphasised that an empowered woman empowers her household and the community at large.
GNA