Government to resource Gender Ministry
The government has given assurance of its commitment to resource the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) to achieve its mandate.
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It has, therefore, pledged to honour its promise of tripling the budgetary allocation for the ministry this year.
This was made known by a member of the Council of State, Dr Rabiatu Ammah, at the first ever Ghana Women’s summit organised by the MoGSCP at the State House in Accra.
Speaking on behalf of the President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, Dr Ammah reiterated the President’s statement during the State of the Nation Address recently that “wealth disparity is of great concern to this government. It is a threat to our stability as a nation and to our unity as a people”.
Bridging gap between rich and poor
She said it was the aim of the government to bridge the gap between the richest and poorest in the society.
The summit, which formed part of activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) to be observed on March 8, is on the theme: “Equality For Women is Progress For All Through Total Inclusion” which is derived from the United Nations (UN) Women’s theme, “Equality For Women Is Progress For All”.
“ We are all aware of what women are capable of doing when they decide to; as a result, we are happy that this initiative, geared towards sustainable national development, will improve Ghana’s credentials”, Dr Ammah said.
She said the country’s history would not be complete without the significant contributions women had made.
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The Chairperson of the Women’s Caucus in Parliament, Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba, in a message, called on women not to look down on themselves but rather have confidence in every field of endeavour that they found themselves in.
She said women would have to believe and trust in themselves in order to excel in life.
Support for female parliamentarians
Hajia Ayamba, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Pusiga in the Upper East Region, called for support for female parliamentarians, saying that although they were few in parliament, they were trying their best to spearhead issues concerning women, children and the vulnerable in society.
The Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, in an address read on her behalf by Justice Avril Lovelace Johnson, said there was the need to work harder to eradicate gender-based violence, as well as other social vices which were perpetrated against women as there were many international conventions and protocols outlawing such acts.
She said it was only when the relevant laws were localised that the judiciary could play its role to interprete them for the benefit of all.
She hoped that the summit would inform the MoGCSP’s attempt to ensure women’s empowerment across the divide.
The summit, she said, should also help encourage the advancement in the lives of women, saying that society was waiting eagerly for strategies that would further promote the rights of women, children and the vulnerable.
Writer's Email: rebecca.quaicoe-duho@graphic.com.gh