Queenmothers’ Foundation supports development

Queenmothers and female chiefs in Ghana play a central role in traditional governance in communities. They are the mothers of the community and have their eyes on the social conditions of the community. They also wield social power and influence as they are regarded as custodians of the stool (throne) and have the authority to select the traditional authorities — the chiefs — as well as ‘de-stool’ (de-throne) chiefs if required.

The role of queenmothers in the welfare of everyone in the community, especially women and children, is widely recognised and respected, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is exploring this multi-faceted central role of the queenmother in the community as another communication channel to effect social and behavioural change in Ghana.

Queenmothers’ Foundation 

In support of this objective, the Queenmothers’ Foundation of Ghana was set up 16 years ago by selected queenmothers from all over Ghana. As a non-profit organisation, the foundation aims, among others, to foster excellent relationships among queenmothers and vigorously pursue the women empowerment agenda by  amplifying the good policies of the government and championing human rights.

According to Nana Serwaah Bonsu, President of the foundation and Queenmother of Kayera Offinso Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region, the foundation is made up of queenmothers from traditional areas that span the length and breadth of Ghana. 

Nana Bonsu stated this when a five-member delegation from the foundation called on the Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Ransford Tetteh, in Accra, in line with its objective to solicit support and cooperation from corporate institutions and other organisations to promote its objective.

Collaboration

She said the foundation was ready to collaborate with corporate institutions and public-spirited organisations and individuals to achieve its objective, indicating that last year, the foundation undertook sensitisation  programmes on Ebola and cholera and would launch a sanitation programme to spearhead clean-up exercises at some lorry stations in Accra this year.

She said the foundation was also focusing on three projects this year; namely, HIV and AIDS education, teenage pregnancy sensitisation programmes in schools and programmes to help reduce infant mortality and improve breastfeeding. it would also include education programmes on post and antenatal services.

According to Nana Bonsu, they have distributed treated mosquito nets and this will continue this year, in addition to the distribution of antiseptic soap and detergents to the maternity wards of hospitals in the rural areas.

The Executive Secretary of the foundation, Naa Ahima Nunoo, called on corporate institutions and philanthropic individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the foundation, to enable it to achieve its objective.

Launch of Kente Festival

She said the foundation would, in February this year, launch a Kente festival, in collaboration with the US and Canadian embassies, to strengthen the cultural ties between Ghana and the two countries, and also promote tourism in the country and create employment. 

Additionally, it will undertake youth entrepreneurship programmes and develop cottage industries in shea butter, mango, tomatoes and moringa.

Nana Bonsu was accompanied by Nana Tsetse Agyeman IV, Queenmother of Nifa Division, Nii Djan We of Otublohum; Nana Akua Gyesiwaa, Kronti Kyidomhemaa of Akropong; Nana Norvida II, Queenmother of Sokpoe in the Volta Region and Nana Obrim Apreko, Krontihemaa of Tapa Traditional Area in the Biakoye District in the Volta Region, all executive members of the foundation.