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The USAID/Ghana Performance Accountability Activity (PAA) marked this years International Women’s Day (IWD) with a dialogue and radio discussion at Wa in the Upper West Region to highlight the important role women play in society.
The programme organised by the Community Development Alliance (CDA) was to raise awareness about IWD and its role in advancing inclusion.
The ceremony brought together various stakeholders, including queenmothers, regional house of chiefs, municipal/district assemblies, civil society organisations, community-based organisations and students, among others. It was held on the theme “Inspire Inclusion”.
The event commenced with a 30-minute radio discussion during which queenmothers and women leaders from diverse backgrounds held discussions on pressing issues affecting women and girls such as gender-based violence and the exclusion of women and marginalised groups from decision-making.
The event culminated in a discussion on barriers and strategies to inspire inclusion in demanding accountability for local public services.
The discussants included Umu Alhassan, a Fulani woman; Amamata Mumuni, Duori Pognaa (queenmother), Hawawu Daari, an officer in charge of the Girl-Child Unit of the Ghana Education Service; and Kuoro Osman Deiwai Nankpa of Pulima Traditional Area.
The discussants are part of the ambassadors who would champion the voices of women, youth, persons with disabilities and marginalised groups and advocate for accountability and inclusion in the delivery of local public services.
Addressing the people, the Chief of Party of PAA, Dr Ross Worthington, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration with CDA to commemorate IWD in the region. He said the event would serve as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women leaders, advocate gender equality and inspire inclusion in service delivery.
The Executive Director of CDA, Salifu Issifu Kanton, called on the citizens to give women and girls equal opportunities to enable them to harness their potential for the rapid development of society.
“In a country where women outnumber men, it a pity that in all spheres of life, women are left behind,” he said. Mr Kanton said from the district assemblies through Parliament to government appointments, women were always in the minority and that was why the day was set aside to bring to the fore the need to give women the chance to develop through education, health care and economic empowerment.
