Invest in young women, female entrepreneurs - Vice-President to gender-based organisations
The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has encouraged women leaders and gender-based organisations in Africa to continue to invest in young women and also support female entrepreneurs, describing them as “the backbone of Africa’s economic growth”.
“Continue to prepare girls to lead. Continue to invest in women entrepreneurs who drive Africa’s economic growth,” she said.
Speaking at the opening of the 27th Zonta International District 18 biennial conference in Accra, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang commended Zonta International for its 55 years of continuous service to women’s empowerment, leadership and social advancement across Africa.
She described the organisation’s work as a “pillar of hope, unity and transformation” in the fight for gender equality.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also congratulated Zonta International on its decades of unwavering commitment to improving the lives of women and girls.
“Your presence here reminds us of the strong bonds of solidarity that unite us as Africans as we work together to empower women and girls,” she added.
Event
The conference is on the theme: “Realising equality: Building for an even brighter future for women and girls”.
The three-day event aims at advancing the status of women and the promotion of inclusive leadership across the continent.
Zonta International is a global service organisation of professionals founded in 1919, and works to advance the status of women worldwide through advocacy and service.
The District 18 covers 12 African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia and Cameroun.
Also to be launched at the conference is a Female STEM Bursary and Mentorship Initiative, in collaboration with the Koforidua Technical University.
Commitment
Prof.Opoku-Agyemang reaffirmed the government’s commitment to gender equality, expanding educational access, promoting women in leadership, and strengthening legal protections against gender-based violence.
She said while some progress had been made, sustained collaboration was still needed to transform policies into meaningful change for women at all levels of society.
“Important gains have been achieved over the decades, but laws and policies alone are not enough to achieve gender equity. They must be complemented by partnerships with people and organisations such as yours for real transformation to take place in our communities,” the Vice-President said.
She acknowledged Zonta International’s global legacy of service through educational initiatives, advocacy projects and impactful partnerships, particularly its collaboration with the UN.
“You have complemented the work of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in advancing gender equality and safeguarding vulnerable groups, and that is very important,” Professor Opoku-Agyemang said.
She paid glowing tribute to two outstanding women leaders whose contributions had shaped Zonta’s legacy - Barbara Baeta and Chief Folake Solanke, praising them as a “trailblazers who broke barriers and inspired countless women to lead with courage and conviction”.
Appreciation
The District 18 Governor, Opeibea Omaboe, expressed the club’s commitment to sustaining projects and advancing educational opportunities that uplifted women and girls.
She expressed appreciation to Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, describing her as an inspiration to all women across Africa, adding that her election as the first Ghanaian woman to occupy the high office of Vice-President was a living testimony of the progress women continued to make toward leadership and equality.
Ms Omaboe said the launch of the project was to support 50 brilliant underprivileged girls from across Ghana to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“This initiative opens doors of opportunity and equips our young women with the knowledge, confidence and skills to thrive in the future of work.
“It represents the kind of transformative empowerment Zonta continues to champion across Africa,” she added.
