Pognaa Rosemary Bangzie, the Queen Mother of Duong in the Nadowli-Kaleo District, has emphasized the importance of policies promoting gender equality to foster an inclusive environment for all.
Speaking at an event in Wa to commemorate International Women's Day (IWD) under the theme “Inspire Inclusion,” Pognaa Bangzie highlighted the need for training and supporting women to develop leadership and communication skills. These skills are crucial for addressing underlying issues such as gender labeling and discrimination, and empowering women to actively participate in national development efforts.
The event, organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Community Development Alliance (CDA) under the USAID/Ghana Performance Accountability Activity (PAA), aimed to celebrate women leaders, advocate for gender equality, and inspire inclusion in service delivery.
Among the attendees were Queen Mothers, Chiefs, representatives from the Regional House of Chiefs, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations, Community-based Organizations, local associations, groups, and students.
Pognaa Bangzie assured the audience that Queen Mothers would mentor women in their jurisdictions to enhance their confidence levels, enabling them to participate actively in social and economic activities.
Dr. Ross Worthington, the Chief of the Party of PAA, emphasized the event's role in celebrating women's achievements and advocating for gender equality. He underscored the importance of inclusion in service delivery.
As part of the commemoration, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Ambassadors for the Upper West Region were introduced. These ambassadors, including Pognaa Hajia Fati Issaka Koray, Pognaa Gladys Tooli, and Madam Rafikata Mohammed, were tasked with championing the voices of marginalized groups and advocating for accountability and inclusion in public service delivery.
Mr. Salifu Issifu Kanton, the Executive Director of CDA, highlighted the challenges faced by women in leadership positions and called for concerted efforts to address gender disparities in decision-making roles.
The event also featured radio discussions and panel sessions addressing pressing issues affecting women and girls, including Gender-based Violence and the exclusion of marginalized groups from decision-making processes.
In conclusion, the commemoration of International Women's Day underscored the importance of promoting gender equality and inclusion to build a more equitable and prosperous society for all.