The Asante Akim South District branch of the Coalition of Women in Governance (COWIG), has held a day's workshop for 35 women in leadership positions, to strengthen their capacities, at Juaso.
The event that was funded by the Hunger Project Ghana in collaboration with the Federation of Women Lawyers, the Gender Centre and Women in Law in Africa under the "We Know Politics Project II", brought together heads of schools, assembly members, queen mothers and other female professionals in leadership positions..
Mr. William Ansah Kwakye, the District Chairman of COWIG, said the workshop was to build the capacity of the participants to enable them to efficiently play their roles as women leaders.
He said women had been marginalized over the years, and advised those who have had the privilege to occupy leadership positions to live up to expectation to create more opportunities for others.
Mr Kwakye said "COWIG was committed to championing the cause of women with the ultimate aim of increasing their participation in the decision-making process," which required a multi-stakeholder approach, since the representation of women in decision-making at all levels was discouraging.
He cited the Asante Akim South District Assembly where the 60-member house had 11 female members, with only three being elected, as an example.
Mr. Seth Anane Twum, the District Director of the Hunger Project Ghana, bemoaned the poor participation of women in politics right from the local to the national level.
He called for concerted effort by stakeholders to bridge the gap between men and women to ensure gender balance in all national endeavours.