The United States Agency for International Development, in collaboration with the Community Development Alliance (CDA), organized a workshop in Wa to emphasize the significant role of women in the community.
This event was conducted under the USAID/Ghana Performance Accountability Activity (PAA) with the theme "Inspire Inclusion". The celebration culminated in the appointment of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Ambassadors for the Upper West Region.
The appointed ambassadors are Pognaa Gladys Tooli, the Queen mother of Nandom Kpeen, Pognaa Hajia Fati Issaka Koray, the Queen mother of Chansa, and Madam Rafikata Mohammed, an educationist.
They are expected to advocate for accountability and inclusion in the distribution of local public services, and champion the voices of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.
The workshop was attended by Chiefs, Queen mothers, representatives from the Regional House of Chiefs, Municipal and District Assemblies, Civil Society Organizations, community-based Organizations, and students, among others.
Dr Ross Worthington, the Chief of the Party of PAA, speaking at the workshop in Wa said the event provided an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of women leaders and promote gender equality.
The Executive Director of CDA, Mr Salifu Issifu Kanton, stated that the day was set aside to celebrate the immense contribution of women to national development.
He said “As we gather today Ghana has made quite some progress in many spheres. In the West African sub region we are seen as the most stable democracy in West Africa.”
“Unfortunately in our leadership and political structure, we have seen that we have left women behind,” he added.
The Queen mother of Duong, Pognaa Rosemary Bangzie stressed the importance of training and supporting women to develop their leadership and communication skills, empowering them to take an active part in national development.
The Community Development Alliance partnered with USAID to organize the workshop under the USAID/Ghana Performance Accountability Activity (PAA), implemented in collaboration with Democracy International and the Ghanaian government.