The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has urged women to build confidence in their abilities while maintaining respect and collaboration with others.
Speaking during a celebration of International Women’s Day at the Presidency in Accra, she urged women to reject stereotypes that limited their confidence or discouraged them from entering fields such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“Be confident. Raise your confidence. It is not about arrogance or disrespect. It is about building our country,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said.
She also advised against framing gender equality as a battle between men and women, stressing the importance of unity instead and shared national development.
“Let us build workplaces where equity, dignity and opportunity are realities for every woman, and for every man too,” the Vice-President added.
Event
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8, annually to commemorate women’s quest for equality and liberation along with women’s rights movements.
Participants in the ceremony
This year’s global theme was “Give to gain,” a call to forge gender equality through abundant giving.
The celebration in Accra was on the theme: “From commitment to action, promoting equity for every woman in the workplace.”
It brought together women from public service, the formal sector, corporate organisations, security agencies and government agencies, among others.
Commitment
The Vice-President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing gender equality and inclusive national development.
She called on women across the country to draw confidence from their historical contributions to society and work collectively to expand opportunities for future generations.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang challenged long-held assumptions about women’s capabilities, saying African history clearly demonstrated that women had always played central roles in professional, economic and social life.
“We didn’t just appear. We have been here for a long time. If you look at the history of the Global South, you will notice that women have always contributed meaningfully in every sphere of society,” she said.
Mentorship
As an advocate of mentorship, the Vice-President encouraged women in leadership positions to support younger women entering professional spaces.
“When people say it is lonely at the top, I ask why? ” If you are the only one there, what are you doing to bring others along?” she quizzed.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said deliberate mentoring and support networks would ensure that more women and girls advanced into leadership roles across sectors.
“This is about making progress not only for ourselves but for our daughters and the younger women coming behind us.
“Most women in this country work in markets, on the streets, and in their homes.
They also matter,” she said.
The Vice-President further said that when women were empowered, organisations improved, governance became stronger, and communities prospered.
She commended women across the public service for their professionalism and contributions to national development.
Action
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Administration, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, called for commitment and practical action to promote equity for women in the workplace, stressing that the country’s progress depended on creating opportunities that allowed women to lead and thrive.
She commended the Vice-President for blazing a trail for women in leadership, opening doors for future generations.
Ms Bampoe-Addo also lauded women working within the Presidency and across the country for their dedication, professionalism and leadership.
She said that despite progress in women’s empowerment, significant gaps remained in leadership representation.
“Equity must, therefore, be reflected not only in policy but also in practice.
We must create opportunities and nurture talents so that pathways to leadership will be opened for more women,” Ms Bampoe-Addo added.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh