News
ABANTU for Devt, Plan Int’l Ghana launch project to strengthen women’s capacities
ABANTU for Development, in partnership with Plan International Ghana on Wednesday launched a project aimed at strengthening women’s capacities for effective participation and representation in Ghana’s local governance system in Accra.
With support from the Government of Canada, the project seeks to equip women, particularly young women and women with disabilities with leadership, advocacy and campaign skills to enable them to contest and influence local governance processes.
It is also expected to support the implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), while advancing inclusive and gender-responsive governance in Ghana.
The launch brought together stakeholders from government agencies, district assemblies, women’s rights groups, civil society organisations, development partners, the media, people with disabilities, young women leaders, and community representatives to explore ways of working together to boost women’s political participation and representation in Ghana.
Launching the project, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described the initiative as a timely investment in women’s leadership ahead of the 2027 District Level Elections to identify, mentor and support a new generation of women leaders capable of shaping governance and development at the local level.
She added that the initiative aligns with national efforts to implement the Affirmative Action Act and accelerate progress towards gender-balanced representation.
“We are not simply preparing women to contest elections. We are investing in a future where leadership is more inclusive, representative and responsive to the needs and aspirations of all citizens,” she said.
Dr Lartey announced that 30 prospective female candidates will directly benefit from targeted training and mentorship under the project, urging them to build confidence and strengthen their leadership capacity.
In a welcome address, the Executive Director of ABANTU for Development, Dr Rose Mensah-Kutin, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at addressing the persistent underrepresentation of women in local governance.
She stressed that the passage of the Affirmative Action Act presents a critical opportunity to reverse long-standing gender disparities in governance.
Speaking on behalf of the Convener of the Affirmative Action Law Coalition, Sheila Minkah-Premo, the Coordinator, Ms Becky Ahadzi, noted that women currently account for only about 4.1 per cent of elected assembly members, highlighting the urgent need for deliberate action.
She described the Affirmative Action Act as a landmark framework that sets clear targets of 30 per cent representation, rising to 35 per cent by 2028 and achieving parity by 2034.
She stressed that the 2027 District Level Elections will be a critical test of the law’s implementation, calling for immediate action to prepare women candidates.
Ms Ahadzi further called for constitutional reforms to introduce quotas in Parliament and local government assemblies to strengthen women’s political participation.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has broken ground on a modern 1,500-seater multipurpose assembly hall and a secured main gatehouse for New Edubiase Senior High School, in the Adansi South District.
The project, being executed by local contractor AA Engineering and Construction, is expected to be completed within 17 months and forms part of the Mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) — a strategic framework for delivering sustainable development in its host communities.
Beyond the expansive assembly hall, the facility will house a fully integrated administrative complex featuring a dedicated sound room, a 16-seater staff eatery, and suites for the Headmaster and Assistant Headmaster, a bursar’s office, an 18-seater conference room, a 24-seater staff common room, six faculty office spaces and ancillary stores and washrooms.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Mine’s Director of Sustainability Management, Edmund Oduro Agyei, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in host communities through impactful and sustainable investments.
The Edubiasehene, Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, commended the Mine for the investment, saying the project demonstrated that the company’s development agenda extended well beyond its immediate operational areas.
The Headmaster of New Edubiase SHS, Mr Christopher Appiah Mensah, described the intervention as timely and transformative, noting it would address longstanding infrastructure deficits, improve conditions for teaching and learning, and create adequate space for academic and social gatherings.
“This will greatly enhance administrative efficiency and improve the overall welfare of both staff and students,” he said.
The facility is also expected to boost the school’s capacity to host national examinations and major events, and strengthen its standing as a centre of academic excellence within the district.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Stakeholders have been urged to help raise awareness and eliminate the stigma often associated with clubfoot, a treatable condition which occurs in children.
Parents are to seek early treatment for the condition while policymakers strengthen support for early detection, disability inclusion, and child health services in the country.
Clubfoot is a condition present at birth in which one or both feet are twisted inward and downward. If left untreated, experts say a child may face lifelong challenges with walking, which could affect education, employment, and social inclusion.
In Ghana, an estimated 1,000 babies are said to be born with clubfoot every year.
In commemoration of the World Clubfoot Day, marked on June 3 every year, stakeholders create awareness about the condition and, among other things, celebrate the dedication of health professionals who ensure children receive treatment.
In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency, Nana Afua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, Programme Manager, Ghana Clubfoot Programme, noted that many families were unaware of the free treatment available for the condition in Ghana. 
She observed that the lack of awareness continued to delay treatment for children who could have received prompt and life-changing care at no cost.
Treatment, she said, was provided free of charge for children under age five at Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG–Hope Walks) partner clinics across the country.
More than 9,000 children born with clubfoot had received treatment and care through the programme over the past 18 years.
“The treatment follows the internationally recognised Ponseti Method, which uses a series of gentle casts to gradually correct the position of the foot, followed by a brace to maintain correction and prevent relapse. When treatment begins early, success rates are extremely high,” Madam Adjetey explained.
“For many children, the journey begins with a health worker who identifies clubfoot at birth and makes a referral. A few moments of observation can change the course of a child’s life forever.”
“Clubfoot is not a curse; it is not caused by wrongdoing…it is a medical condition that can be treated successfully. Families should never feel ashamed to seek help.”
The Programme Manager said children born with the condition deserved equal opportunities, dignity, and inclusion, and called on communities to support parents rather than “judge them.” -GNA
