The National Women’s Forum, a network of accomplished women from various professional sectors, is congratulating and celebrating Ghanaian women for their immense contributions to national and global development, and is also calling for issues pertaining to gender disparity to be appropriately addressed.

In a statement signed by the Forum’s Executive Director, Dr. Diana Heyman-Adu, commemorating the International Women’s Day, 2022, she wrote, “The National Women’s Forum celebrates all women for their immense contributions to national development on this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).”

“The United Nations has traditionally designated the day to reflect on accomplishments of women thus far, to push for action to address persisting and widespread inequalities and violence against women, and to commemorate women who have played outstanding role including Ghana.”

It added “The Forum recognizes and celebrates courageous and resilient women like Yaa Asantewaa (Queen Mother of Ejisu), Dr. Esther Afua Ocloo (of Nkulenu fame), Madam Theodosia Oko (Teacher and Artist known for designing Ghana ‘s national flag), Madam Efua Theodora Sutherland (Child Advocate), Ama Ata Aidoo (Fmr. Minister and Academician), Justice Theodora Georgina Wood (Fmr. Chief Justice), Joyce Adelaide Bamford Addo (Fmr. Speaker of Parliament), Mrs. Konadu Agyeman Rawlings ( Fmr. First Lady and Founder of NDP), Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee (Fmr. Minister and Pastor), Madam Charlotte Osei (Fmr. EC Chairperson), Prof. Jane Naana Opoku, Mary ChineryAgyemang (Fmr. Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, and 2020 Running Mate for NDC), Madam M Hesse (Chancellor of the University of Ghana), Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson (Vice– Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology), Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo (Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana), Madam Patricia OboNai (CEO, Vodafone Ghana) and other gallant women who have contributed to the battle for gender equality by breaking barriers to become leaders in male-dominated sectors.”

The National Women’s Forum has undertaken a series of activities and advocacy over the last 20 years that have highlighted and focused attention on institutional and sociocultural barriers that have prevented women from achieving a sustainable livelihood, a life free of violence and harm.

The Forum also made appeals to the general public to help increase female representation in governance and appealed that the president appoints a substantive Gender Minister to replace the absent Sarah Adwoa Safo.

“The Forum also wishes to appeal to President Nana Addo Dankwa AkufoAddo to appoint a substantive Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection to ensure issues of concern to women and children are dealt with within time.”

By Kaba Atawoge