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WOMEC sensitises girls to aspire higher
Women, Media and Change (WOMEC), as part of its Gender Transformative Programming (GTP) Turning Point project has made a clarion call on girls at Princeton Academy, Okushibri KKMA Basic School and Appolonnia KKMA JHS to aspire higher in their future endeavours to become agents of change to their communities.
Under the theme “Empowering the Girl Child: A necessary tool for closing the Gender Gap”, WOMEC admonished the girls to always aim higher and make education their valuable tool to harness their potentials.
Executive Director of WOMEC, Dr. Charity Binka said it was prudent to give the girl child equal opportunity irrespective of her race, background and religion for her to achieve her desirable goals in future.
Dr. Binka made these assertions in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, recently.
She lamented that violence against women was on the increase , indicating that many women were out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic, while many girls had also dropped out of school.
“However, the pandemic cannot be blamed for the woeful representation of women in decision making, politics and public life”, she stressed.
Dr. Binka indicated that “the 2021 Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum estimates that it will take 135.6 years to close the gender gap worldwide and 145.6 years to attain gender parity in politics.”
“The Constitution of Ghana guarantees equal rights of women and men, yet disparities in education, employment, politics, leadership positions and health for women remain a worry”, she said.
Article 17(1) and (2) of the Constitution guarantees gender equality and freedom of men and women, girls and boys from discrimination on the basis of social or economic status, religion, ethnic grounds.
The Gender Advocate said, to achieve accelerated growth as a nation, Ghana must take steps to ensure that women and girls were put at the centre of planning and programming in national issues.
Dr. Binka called on the government to integrate gender perspectives into all national laws and policies, adding that measures must be introduced to protect girls and provide them with quality education.
She further called on government to take immediate steps to expedite efforts towards the passage of Affirmative Bill into law and said there was the need for intense advocacy on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.
Dr. Vanessa Nsiah Akosah, Child Rights Activist and a Dental Surgeon also advised the girls not to be scared of taking competitive roles in the society because they had the ability to equally perform like their male counterparts.
She urged stakeholders in the fight of gender parity to constantly support, motivate and encourage girls to see education as an empowerment to the attainment of their future goals.
“But boys should not be sidelined in the fight for gender equality”, she cautioned.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
