The women leaders, drawn from various sectors including health, education, politics, and civil society organisations, among others, were brought together to deliberate on issues affecting women's development and identify their potentials to enable them to grow.

It was also to offer a platform for the women leaders to chart a path on how they could mentor young women, serve as role models to them and promote women leadership in governance.

The HEARD project is being implemented in the Bolgatanga Municipality and the Kassena-Nankana District in the Upper East by RISE-Ghana, among other districts in the North East and Upper West Regions by a consortium of some non- governmental organisations and being funded by Norsaac, an NGO.

Mrs Jaw-Haratu Amadu, Head of Programme Management, RISE-Ghana, addressing the women leaders in Bolgatanga, said the HEARD project aimed at promoting the voice of youth, women, and persons with disabilities at the governance level, and bringing the women leaders together was a step to achieving objectives of the project.

"So, we are planning to have young women in the region, who would identify people among these women leaders as their mentors, so that they help them identify some of the challenges that exist and nurture them to overcome it," she added.

She called on social groups, political parties, and other associations to embrace gender policies in fulfilment of the Affirmative Action Law.

Ms Fati Abigail Abdulai, the Executive Director of the Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM) and facilitator of the workshop on the Affirmative Action Law said the law required a 30 percent representation of women in all sectors spanning from 2024 to 2026 and charged women to aspire for various positions.

She noted that one of the key issues faced by women in governance is stereotyping and called on civil society organisations to increase their sensitisations to complement the Affirmative Action Law in demystifying such stereotypes that undermine and discourage women from aspiring for positions.

Madam Mariama Mahama, the Nabdam District Director of Health and a participant, said it was important women demonstrated competence and hard work and do not allow childbearing to be a barrier to their performance at the workplace.

That, she said, would accord them the needed support and validation from the public and any appointing authority to earn them a position in governance.

Mrs Bride Apania, the Upper East Regional President of the Past and Present Assembly Women Association (PPAWA) and a participant, charged young women to acquire skills and attain higher qualifications to better their chances of political appointments and leadership roles.