Nadowli: Limited participation of women in leadership in Ghana means inadequate representation of a greater proportion of the Ghanaian population in decision-making in the country. This is because, according to the 2021 population and housing census report, a greater proportion of the Ghanaian populace, about 51 percent, are made up of women.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Janet Kpan, the Upper West Regional Girls Education Officer, Ghana Education Service, and the Regional Focal Person on Affirmative Action Law Coalition, emphasized that the lack of female leaders means the interests and issues of about 51 percent of Ghanaians may not be adequately represented. She made these remarks while addressing students at the McCoy College of Education in Nadowli during a durbar on the Affirmative Action Act, 2024 (Act 1121) and Gender-based Violence (GBV).
The durbar was organized by the college's women's wing of the Students' Representative Council (SRC) under the Girls and Women Economic Empowerment, Livelihood and Participation in Leadership (GWEEL) project. The African Centre for Human Rights and Sustainable Development (AfCHuRSD), in partnership with the Equity, Opportunity and Development Fund (EODF) In Action, is implementing the project in 20 communities in four districts of the region with funding from Equal Opportunity Fund (EOF) Ghana, Netherlands.
A similar event was also held in Duong, a community in the Nadowli-Kaleo District, led by Pognaa Rosemary Bangzie, the Queen Mother of the Duong community. These events are follow-up activities from action plans developed during a community influencers' workshop organized by the project implementing partners for influencers from the beneficiary districts - Nadowli-Kaleo, Jirapa, Wa West, and Daffiama-Bussie-Issa Districts.
Madam Kpan explained that the passage of the Act was a step towards achieving gender equity in Ghana, but its success depended on the right implementation strategy. She advocated for deliberate government and political party interest in the Act, sensitization and capacity building for stakeholders, and strong collaboration with Civil Society Organisations for its effective implementation.
Pognaa Rosemary Bangzie encouraged females to build their capacity and acquire the needed qualifications and competencies through higher education to compete favorably in seeking leadership positions. 'The Affirmative Action Act is not saying that once you are a woman the position should be given to you even when you are not qualified. You must acquire the right qualifications and competencies, and this can be achieved through higher education,' she explained.
Mr. Omar Yakubu Yaarun, the Nadowli-Kaleo District Director, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), addressed the issue of GBV, encouraging students to report any form of abuse they experienced or witnessed. He emphasized that GBV persists in society due to survivors' and witnesses' failure to report such cases.
Mr. Philip Konyuuri, the SRC President of the school, encouraged female students to take advantage of interventions like the GWEEL project to build their leadership portfolio and take the initiative to lead. Mr. David Gaanye, the Upper West Regional Coordinator of AfCHuRSD, highlighted that the organization prioritizes the well-being of women and girls, including ending GBV, and has implemented relevant projects in the region.