News
ABANTU for Devt, Plan Int’l Ghana launch project to strengthen women’s capacities
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dr-Agnes-Momo-Lartey-seated-third-from-right-with-some-particpants-after-the-launch-1000x578.jpg&description=ABANTU for Devt, Plan Int’l Ghana launch project to strengthen women’s capacities', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dr-Agnes-Momo-Lartey-seated-third-from-right-with-some-particpants-after-the-launch-1000x578.jpg&description=ABANTU for Devt, Plan Int’l Ghana launch project to strengthen women’s capacities', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
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
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
