Accra: Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has called for a rewrite of the rules governing work-related engagements in Ghana to ensure that talent, not gender, determines opportunities. Speaking at the 'She Builds Conference' in Accra, the Minister said true progress required investing in education, health, enterprise, and leadership opportunities for women and girls.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Minister emphasized that women were capable but underutilized, visible yet undervalued. She stressed the need to redefine power and change mindsets, moving from seeing women as beneficiaries to recognizing them as equal partners. The conference, organized by the Academic Woman Foundation, brought together women from academia, the legal profession, engineering, entrepreneurship, and the built environment to discuss ways of advancing female leadership in male-dominated fields.
The conference, themed 'Where women are, Where are we going, and What we need to do,' provided a platform for accomplished women to share their stories and inspire younger participants to take up leadership roles. Dr Lartey highlighted that power must depict influence, impacts, and inclusion, asserting that it should not be a privilege of a few but a shared capacity of many.
She acknowledged Ghana's strides in amplifying women's voices but pointed out that harmful practices, stereotypes, and exclusion from the formal economy continued to silence many. She argued that women remained underutilized despite their proven capabilities and contributions across various sectors. When women step fully into their power, she stated, communities thrive, societies prosper, and nations rise.
The Minister underlined that women belonged at the heart of decision-making and innovation, emphasizing that moving to the center of leadership is not a favor but justice, not symbolic but a strategy, and that no nation can prosper if half of its population is left behind.
Dr Anatu Mahama, the Founder of the Academic Women Foundation, stated that the She Builds Conference aimed to empower women to take up leadership roles and elevate their career aspirations. She stressed the importance of encouraging women to progress in their education, not drop out of school, and take up courses in male-dominated fields.
Dr Mahama emphasized the need for women to be more visible in their workplaces so young girls can look up to them. Professor Lydia Aziato, Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, noted that the number of women in leadership roles in Ghana was still low due to organizational factors like unfair evaluation of women at workplaces.
Prof Aziato encouraged women to develop their skills, be proactive in taking up opportunities, and be self-confident. She suggested that females could attain higher positions by expanding their networks, establishing realistic goals, embracing change, and building positive beliefs in their abilities.
