The donation was made at the ‘Mother’s Day Shelter Fundraiser’ event, which was held at the headquarters of the Foundation at Haatso.

The event was held to raise funds to support the activities of the foundation to support women and children in need.

In attendance were South Africa’s High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E Jeanet Mason, reps from Vodafone Ghana, the Prison services, the Ghana Bar Association, the Domestic Violence Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) and Stanbic Bank Ghana.

Presenting the cheque to the foundation, the 2022 Stanbic Woman of the Year, Jacqueline Osei-Kusi noted that the donation is in line with the bank’s commitment to the #HeForShe movement, which obligates the Bank to make a stand against gender-based violence, and support those who have fallen victims thereof.

She said, “As a bank, we have seen the good work that the Ark Foundation is doing here and Ghana and we want to commend them for it. Violence affecting women is one of the most pressing and common challenges Africa faces. At Stanbic we believe that Africa is our home and we drive her growth. It is impossible to drive the growth of our country without supporting the women who work hard to contribute to national development.”

Mrs Osei-Kusi added that, “this Mother’s Day we are presenting a cheque of 20,000 Ghana cedis to the Ark Foundation which over the years has not only highlighted the problem of gender-based violence but has paved a way forward for us to learn grow and overcome this challenge to produce a future of happier and healthier women.”

She advised women to speak out and work together to combat the growing challenges they face as a community.

“As women, we are very powerful and strong. We need to bold and speak up about the issues we are facing and fight against them. Stanbic Bank will continue to support women as we continue to fight toward gender equality and continue to promote women empowerment. Together we can make a change,” she stated.

The Executive Director of the Ark Foundation, Angela Dwamena-AAboagye,received the donation on behalf of her group and thanked Stanbic for their support.

She said, “it is amazing the things we can do when we work together to support each other. We are grateful to Stanbic Bank for this donation that they have made. This sum of money will go a long way to improving the lives of women all over the country who are victims of all forms of violence. We know we can count on your continuous support to do bigger and better things for women and children here in Ghana. Thank you very much.”

The Ark offers to vulnerable, distressed and abused persons, in particular women and children, compassionate care and empowering spaces to live without fear of violence or oppression from others and to find strength, dignity and hope for life.