The Association of Women in the Media (ASWIM) is delighted to join in the global celebration of women for their critical motherly roles, which have sustained humanity through generations.

Over the years, mothers have been recognised as the embodiment of the essence of life because of their ability to generate new life, nurture and guide their children to play critical roles essential for the sustenance of humankind.

A mother’s work, it is said, is never done.  She is a caregiver, mentor, coach, dietician, teacher, housekeeper, seamstress, repairer, model, spiritual leader, confidante, motivational speaker, peace broker, disciplinarian and many more despite her educational level or social status.

The UN aptly states that: “From cooking and cleaning, to fetching water and firewood or taking care of children and the elderly, women carry out at least two-and-a-half times more unpaid household and care work than men.

“As a result, they have less time to engage in paid labour, or work longer hours, combining paid and unpaid labour. Women’s unpaid work subsidises the cost of care that sustains families, supports economies and often, fills in for the lack of social services.

“Yet, it is rarely recognised as ‘work’. Unpaid care and domestic work is valued to be 10 and 39 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product and can contribute more to the economy than the manufacturing, commerce or transportation sectors”.

In carrying out these frontline duties all these countless years, mothers have demonstrated admirable multi-tasking abilities, selflessness, compassion, ingenuity, patience, long suffering, resilience, intuition, foresight, discipline, dedication, loyalty- among other values – and have undoubtedly been able to pass them on to successive generations, less their societies become poorer in their shared humanity.

William Ross Wallace, in his 1865 classic poem, ‘What Rules the World’, duly states thus: “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world”.

Wallace recognises the divinely assigned nurturing roles of mothers and their influence in making the world a better place; and gratefully asks for blessings for them to continue to shape their societies.

It is in this light that ASWIM salutes all women for their diverse frontline motherly roles in the lives of the households, communities, societies and nations they have touched and played tremendous roles in moulding and transforming for peace in our world.

We pray for God’s guidance and protection for all, especially women who despite the dangers of COVID-19 have continued to offer care for their helpless children and families and risked their lives to engage in varied income generating activities to feed their households and the world.

ASWIM, particularly, recognises the millions of women all around the world providing healthcare, food and other essential services to contain and finally overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and salutes them for their sacrifices.

Additionally, we commend frontline workers in all countries for being the ‘mothers’ of the world at this critical time in history for their  selfless services.

Such selfless motherly role was exemplified by Ms Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, the 28-year old pregnant Ghanaian nurse in the United Kingdom, whose life was snuffed out by COVID-19 in her dedication to saving lives.

ASWIM celebrates Ms Agyapong and many like her, and prays that their sacrifices will never be in vain.

The association also salutes all Ghanaian women for their diverse contributions towards combating COVID-19.

A special commendation goes to the mother of the nation, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Mrs Akosua Frema Osei Opare, the Chief of Staff, for their sterling contributions to building our nation.

ASWIM also uses this special occasion to encourage all women to use their unique motherly influences to mobilise their communities to comply with all the preventive protocols against COVID-19.

There is no doubt that should the situation in the country get out of hand, women stand to suffer more emotionally and physically as caregivers in the home, communities and health facilities.

Indeed, Ghana needs all of its mothers to continue to be in the frontline to drive holistic national development.

Happy Mother’s Day to all Ghanaian women!

Mrs Mavis Kitcher, President, ASWIM.