Women urged to stand up and speak out

Story by Mercy Darko

As Ghana joins the rest of the world to mark International Women’s Day, women have been admonished to stand up and speak out for their voices to be heard. The National Director of Development and Social Services with the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rebecca Teiko-Sabah, challenged outdated stereotypes, asserting that the era of viewing women as weaker vessels is over. She added that although some strides have been made in empowering women, more needs to be done. She charged women not to neglect themselves while they help others.

Mrs. Teiko-Sabah made the remarks on the sidelines after she addressed an empowerment program dubbed “SHE CONNECT,” an initiative of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Accra New Town District. Mrs. Teiko-Sabah noted that the time has come for women to transition from just “living” to “building” with intent and also use the skills acquired to create opportunities and financial independence.

“Women are very important in the development of everybody and they think about everybody but themselves. Women need to set a vision for themselves and work towards achieving them. The SHE CONNECT is one of such programmes that will build women,” she stressed.

Mrs. Teiko-Sabah, who is also a legal practitioner, debunked the assertion that women are the weaker vessels in society. She said it is a cultural mishap that should be shunned. Touching on the 2026 International Women’s Day, Mrs. Teiko-Sabah charged established women in society to try and nurture the upcoming generation and imbibe in them the spirit of building each other.

“This year’s theme is ‘Give to Gain.’ We want women to be empowered. There is more to do, especially for our young ones to know their rights and influence the new pathways that we are developing in academia, the economy, and business, among others. The groundwork has been laid; the foundations are strong. Let us inform and influence others. Give to gain because it’s only when you give that you will receive,” she added.

For her part, Associate Minister, Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Greenwich Meridian Congregation, Rev. Georgina Kwanima Boateng, noted that although Ghana has passed the Affirmative Action Act, which provides the structural framework to turn sentiments into measurable reality, women will be left behind if they do not build up themselves to be represented in all spheres of life, especially in governance and decision-making roles.

“Even though now opportunities may be open for women, there are a lot of women who are not qualified to take up those opportunities, hence the need for women to up their game and acquire skills. For women to make an impact, they need to be intentional. The Affirmative Action Act is key, but women have to do more. The assertion that if women are liberated they will become bosses over all is not the issue. It will take a lot of patience to educate both men and women so no one feels intimidated. We are all equals in Christ,” she intimated.

Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Odonkor, of Tiffany Consult, took time to educate participants on the importance of personal branding, self-care, wellness, and grooming, among others. She indicated that personal branding is crucial for one to stand out in competitive, crowded markets as it defines one’s unique value, expertise, and authenticity. Dr. Mrs. Odonkor added that personal branding builds credibility and trust with potential employers or clients, leading to increased career opportunities, networking, and higher earning potential.

SHE CONNECT is a brainchild of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Accra New Town District, spearheaded by the District Minister, Rev. Frank Oguase Adu. The focus of the initiative seeks to empower women and encourage them to do their best in all spheres of life. Rev. Oguase Adu noted that the district aims to ensure that its members are not only spiritually grounded but also socially and professionally empowered. He described women as the crown of God’s creation and said it is important to nurture their God-given talents to unearth their potential.

The event brought together more than 100 participants from all eleven congregations in the district. Throughout the session, participants engaged in practical workshops focused on personal branding, self-care and wellness, grooming, and ethics.

More stories here