Bolgatanga Observes International Women’s Day

11-03-10 Bolgatanga Observes International Women’s Day

Narration: Ghanaians have been urged to lend their support to women who express their desire to contest for the upcoming District Assembly Elections in order to motivate and empower them politically. This would ensure that women get a fairly good representation at the local level. The upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo who made the call in a speech read on his behalf advised the general public to discard all party affiliations by rallying behind women to help them attain higher political levels. He said this at the 2010 International Women’s Day Celebration held at Bolgatanga on the theme ”Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for all.” Isaac Asare has the rest of the story for Radio Ghana.

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The programme which was organized by ActionAid, Ghana Upper East Development Programme (AAGUEDP), brought together interest groups, women right groups, chiefs, political representatives, civil society organizations, as well as NGOs. The International Women’s Day which falls on March 8 each year is celebrated by many countries around the world in recognition for women’s achievements and accomplishments in all spheres of life without regard to divisions. It is also an occasion in remembrance of past struggles and most importantly for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women. The day was first observed in the United States in 1909 by some aggrieved women, who went on a protest march against their working conditions. Mr. Mark Woyongo, in a speech read for him, laid emphasis on the relevance of the day, adding that the day has come as a wake up call to addressing the challenges confronting women worldwide and also to reflect on progress being made by women who through dint of hard work have exhibited acts of courage and determination in the history of our communities and countries in general. Mr. Woyongo was happy about the gradual reduction of some socio-cultural and dehumanizing practices meted out to women in the region and thanked the various traditional rulers for their contribution in ensuring that domestic violence and practices such as excision and widowhood rites among others are wiped out from the traditional societies to pave way for women empowerment. Mr. Woyongo also called on all Ghanaians to rally their support for women in the upcoming district assembly elections, since women representatives in District Assemblies had always been low over the years. A Representative of ActionAid Ghana, Sulemana Alhassan, said available statistics still indicates lower percentage of women in leadership and decision making processes particularly Upper East, where women are considered as the poor and vulnerable. This, he said, are as a result of the high incidence of domestic violence and other harmful cultural practices. He therefore challenged women to take the mantle of leadership through participation of local government elections as a head way in building strong credentials for themselves and the society. Mr Sulemana appealed to the government and the various district assemblies to help equipped women with financial and logistic support to champion their cause.