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Let women, children be heard on climate change – 2nd Lady
Mrs Samira Bawumia addressing the gathering
The Second Lady, Mrs Samira Bawumia has asked stakeholders to make conscious and deliberate effort to create space for women and young people’s voices to be heard, especially on climate change.
“You cannot make progress without leveraging the full resources of the majority of our population who are women and children especially in decision making,” she said.
According to her, climate change is increasingly inducing migration and heightening political insecurity threats across the sub-region, further impacting economic stability, especially of women and children.
Mrs Bawumia said this at the maiden Africa Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC), a platform to address the impact of climate change on women and children.
The conference, an initiative of the Second Lady, on Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP), under the auspices of the Office of the President, was themed: “Amplifying the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action.”
Mrs Bawumia said the conference would coordinate a network of organisations focused on women and children in the climate change economy.
The Second Lady said climate action must be holistic, inclusive and intersectional to address the diversities and challenges faced by all especially women and children from different backgrounds, including those in rural areas, urban centres, indigenous communities and persons with disabilities.
She said it was only a comprehensive approach that could ensure that no one was left behind in pursuit of sustainability.
“I call upon governments, organisations, businesses and individuals to recognise the urgency of trying to solve the climate crisis and embrace the transformative power of gender equality,” she said.
The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Amina J. Mohammed said there was the need for governments and decision makers at all levels to get involved and prioritise the wellbeing of women and children.
She urged stakeholders to set goals and work with a higher impact climate action that would unlock the potential of women and also to protect children.
“We have to identify practical solutions when it comes to women and children at the centre of our social sphere so that together we can develop as a continent,” she said.
According to her, African countries are at the highest risk of suffering from the impacts of climate crisis, adding that, “Africa suffers disproportionately from climate impacts, including droughts and insecurity.”
The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonja-Iweala said trade must be leveraged as a tool, both for climate action and for women’s economic empowerment.
She said government and policymakers must ensure that women and children were safe in the decision making process, adding that protecting the lives and livelihoods of women and children in Africa, was paramount to development.
The Ghana Tourism Development Company, GTDC, under the leadership of Prof.Kobby Mensah has launched GTDC Campus Tourism Office at the University of Ghana.
The initiative aims to promote educational and domestic tourism by providing structured campus tour experiences showcasing key heritage sites, including the Archaeology Museum and the School of Performing Arts.
It will also offer students their first travel experience across the continent and inculcate in them love to visit Ghana’s heritage sites.
Addressing the gathering at the launch yesterday, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described tourism as a vehicle for education and heritage preservation, stressing that the sector must inspire citizens to value and protect national culture for future generations.
The minister highlighted tourism’s connection to disciplines such as history, the arts, economics and environmental science.
The minister further noted that the private sector is the engine of tourism economy, adding that the engines require fuel, which is talents.” by investing in these young people today, you are securing the quality, the innovation and competitiveness of our own industry for tomorrow.
She added that the establishment of the office represents a deliberate investment in the intellectual capital of the country.
The GTDC boss, Prof.Kobby Mensah, said,”at GTDC, we believe that if our tourism has to be sustainable, we have to promote domestic tourism and a very big part of it is getting students to appreciate tourism and helping them to organise tours.”
He added that the University of Ghana itself is a huge heritage site which must be explored.
Prof.Kobby Mensah noted that the initiative, which is one of many to be established across the country, is a joint partnership between GTDC and University of Ghana.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the University is a custodian of heritage which goes beyond the structures and welcomed the establishment of the first Campus Tourism Office.
She was optimistic that the office would be put to good use to achieve the intended purpose.
The launch brought together Stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to nurturing future tourism and hospitality professionals.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana has officially accepted an invitation to serve as Guest Country at Burkina Faso’s 22nd National Culture Week in Bobo-Dioulasso from April 22 to May 2, 2026.
The invitation was extended by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo, accompanied by the Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Ghana, H.E. David Kabré.
Receiving the delegation, Abla Dzifa Gomashie reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening cultural diplomacy and strengthening historic ties between the two nations.
She noted that the festival will create opportunities for young creatives, expand exhibition platforms and promote commercial exchange within the creative sector.
The event will feature cultural performances, a community village and gastronomy fair, an arts market, literary engagements, and a craft and trade fair.
Ghana’s participation is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between John Dramani Mahama and Ibrahim Traoré, while fostering collaboration within the creative ecosystems of both countries.
