WELCOME ADDRESS BY AUGUSTINA OFFE TTAG WEC SECTOR WOMEN’S COMMISSIONER AT THE OPENING OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT ON 17TH JUNE, 2017 AT HOLY CHILD COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.

Madam Chairperson, Honourable DCE from Ahanta West, Nanahemaa, Madam Principal, Tutors herein present, Friends of the media, Delegates from the various colleges within the sector, all protocols duly observed, Ladies and Gentlemen.  

Good morning to all high profile personalities, delegates and friends, as we all gathered here to celebrate this epic event, I would like to speech on the topic of Women Empowerment in Ghana.

Madam Chairperson, empowering women in Ghana is very necessary to bring gender equality. Our country is still a developing country and the economic status of our country is appalling because it is male dominated country. Men (which represents half power of the country) are walking alone and they force women to do only house hold works.

They do not know that women are half the half power of this country and combining to male can form full power of the country and that would fast track development to make our country develop at the fastest rate. No other country would be more powerful than Ghana if we are to support women massively to rule this nation.

Madam Chairperson, It is very necessary for all men in Ghana to understand the power of women and let them go ahead to be independent and to obtain power of the family and the country. Gender equality is the first step to bring women empowerment in Ghana. Men should not continue to perceive that women are made to only handle household chores or take responsibility of the home and family. Both (men and women) are responsible for everything of daily routine. Men too need to comprehend their responsibility of home and family and all other works women do, so that women can get some time to think about themselves and their career. There are so many laws for empowering women however none is effective and followed by everyone. It is not the responsibility of only Parliament; it is the responsibility of each and every Ghanaian. Only rules can do nothing, it needs to be understood by all the theme of rules, why rules are made, why women empowerment is very necessary for our country and many others.

Madam Chairperson, we need to think positive in order to change our attitude about women. Women need to be given full freedom, it is their birth right. My noble women here and those outside, there are a lot of things we can also do, what will be the essence of the saying “what men can do women can do better” if we sit down aloof without doing anything to prove that yes indeed we can do better things if we are given the opportunity to exhibit our talents and capabilities.  We can exceed the better into best. I therefore implore in all women to put on your belts to challenge the men and prove them wrong. I would crave your indulgence to tell you all the women here that we need TTAG national president who will be a woman to champion the cause of teacher trainees.

Madam Chairperson, I don’t understand why women suffer like that in Ghana. There are many social issues making women backward in Ghana such as gender based violence, reproductive health iniquities, economic discrimination, harmful traditional practices and other pervasive and persistent forms of inequality.

Women were bearing enormous hardship from the ancient times in Ghana and that must stop ones and for all. There are many private and government organisations and institutions supporting women empowerment, promoting policy making, promoting gender-sensitive data collection, improving women’s health awareness and expanding their independency in life. Despite such supports and human rights, women are still dependent, poor, unhealthy and illiterate. We need to think the reasons behind and solve all on immediate basis.

Thank you and may the Almighty God bless us all.