The Kpando District Chief Executive, Mr Francis Ganyaglo, has stated that women empowerment is not a threat to development but a major step towards the advancement of women and the development of the nation.
He asserted that the high illiteracy rate among women made them victims of poverty, illness and diseases, as well as exposed them to conflict and social injustices, while some suffered discrimination as a result of social-cultural practices and beliefs.
Speaking at a four –day retreat for women drawn from the Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, Volta regions and the Republic of Togo forming the Southern Zonal Conference of the Ghana Muslim Women Association held at Kpando in the Volta Region, Mr Ganyaglo, pointed out that these problems contributed to the low representation of women in the decision-making process, in breach of their fundamental human rights which had been enshrined in the Constitution.
He advised women to fully utilise educational opportunities, stressing that it was the key to their empowerment and the enhancement of their status.
In a lecture, the Volta Regional Imam, Sheik Mohamed Mutawakilu Yussif, described women as the source of knowledge and great narrators of prophetic traditions.
He,however, advised women to be submissive to their husbands and ensure the maintenance of a peaceful and harmonious family.
The Volta Regional Amira, Hajia Jamila Senyo Kpeto,stressed the need for peaceful co-existence with people of different faith, stating that the association is a humble one which seeks among other things, to uplift the image of women.
She announced that a vocational institute would be established at Kpando in September this year with support from the Islamic Council on Humanitarian Services (ICODEHS) to train young girls in catering, dressmaking and beadmaking.
Hajia Kpeto argued that the issue of female porters, popularly referred to as “Kayayei” could be better addressed if the educated in the society supported sensitisation programmes to encourage young girls to refrain from the practice and rather acquire a vocation.
The Queen of Kpando, Mamaga Agbalisi IV said unlike the past when women were confined to the kitchen, empowerment programmes had helped to equip them to face and manage the many challenges that confronted them.
“The well educated woman is the best home keeper, mother, wife, cook, hence it is very expedient for a woman to be educated to be well empowered”, Mama Agbalisi said.
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