Bolgatanga: As part of the implementation of the Heard Everywhere and Represented Daily (HEARD) project, the Rural Initiative for Self-Empowerment-Ghana (RISE-Ghana) has convened women leaders in the Upper East Region to foster collaboration, mentorship, and collective growth. The initiative aims to strengthen women's roles in various sectors and promote leadership among young women.
According to Ghana News Agency, women leaders from sectors such as health, education, politics, and civil society organizations gathered to discuss challenges affecting women's development and explore their potential for growth. The meeting also provided a platform for leaders to plan how they could mentor young women, serve as role models, and promote female leadership in governance.
The HEARD project is being implemented in the Bolgatanga Municipality and the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region by RISE-Ghana. It is also active in other districts within the North East and Upper West Regions, supported by a consortium of non-governmental organizations and funded by Norsaac, an NGO. Mrs. Jaw-Haratu Amadu, Head of Programme Management at RISE-Ghana, emphasized that the project aims to amplify the voices of youth, women, and persons with disabilities in governance, with the gathering of women leaders being a step towards achieving these objectives.
Mrs. Amadu highlighted plans to connect young women in the region with mentors from among the gathered leaders to help them identify and overcome challenges. She also urged social groups, political parties, and other associations to adopt gender policies in line with the Affirmative Action Law.
Ms. Fati Abigail Abdulai, Executive Director of the Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM) and facilitator of the workshop on the Affirmative Action Law, explained that the law mandates a 30 percent representation of women in all sectors from 2024 to 2026. She encouraged women to aspire for various positions and called on civil society organizations to enhance their sensitization efforts to counteract stereotypes that discourage women from pursuing leadership roles.
Madam Mariama Mahama, the Nabdam District Director of Health and a participant, stressed the importance of women demonstrating competence and hard work, urging them not to let childbearing hinder their workplace performance. She believed that showcasing these qualities would earn women public support and validation, enhancing their chances of securing positions in governance.
Mrs. Bride Apania, Upper East Regional President of the Past and Present Assembly Women Association (PPAWA) and a participant, encouraged young women to acquire skills and achieve higher qualifications to improve their prospects for political appointments and leadership roles.
