Founder and Director of the Girls’ Education Initiative of Ghana, Elizabeth Ekua-Nyarko Patterson, have called for educational institutions and the Ghanaian society in general to ensure gender inclusion especially for women with disabilities or special needs. 

While sharing her story as a person with some disabilities during an event organised by the Centre for Gender and Advocacy to mark this year’s International Women’s Day at Takoradi Technical University on the theme “Accelerating for Women and Girls: Advancing Equity and Empowerment,” Elizabeth Ekua-Nyarko Patterson advised that women with special needs should be carried along and included as Ghana progresses.

“As we have made so much progress over the years towards gender inclusion, let us not leave women and girls with disabilities or special needs behind. Let’s put this into practice and include everybody in all the development work that we do for Mother Ghana,” she urged.

She further urged policy makers and educators to move beyond well-written policies and focus on real implementation.

“The policies are there, but we don’t see them in real life and implementation. There is the National Gender Policy, Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Strategy, SDS, Disability Inclusion, the Persons with Disability Act (Act 715), the Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan 2014, and the Inclusive Education Policy. All these policies are beautifully written, and I have read some of them extensively. However, when I visit the classrooms of some of my students whom I advocate for, that is not the reality. If we have all these policies, what is stopping us from implementing them?” she emphasized.

Madam Ekua-Nyarko Patterson also encouraged girls, especially those with disabilities, to believe that they can achieve anything, citing herself as a testament to this.

Eva Ankrah, who is the  Founder and Director of Human Rights and Development Services, a Civil Society Organisation also speaking at the event on the theme “Pioneering Women in Politics, Business, and Technology: Success Stories and the Way Forward,” highlighted the historic and contemporary contributions of women while outlining strategies for increasing female representation in leadership.

While acknowledging progress made my women from pre-colonial, through Colonial and post-colonial to present day Ghana, Madam Ankrah pointed out that women’s representation in Ghanaian politics remains low. With women making up only 14% of Ghana’s Parliament and just two cabinet Ministers, she stressed the need for affirmative action.

She encouraged women to seize opportunities in business and technology, highlighting initiatives such as the Ghana Enterprises Agency’s financial support for SMEs and the Business in the Box project, which aims to create 250,000 jobs-70% of which will go to women.

Madam Ankrah urged political parties to support female candidates in winnable constituencies and called on the government to institutionalize gender quotas.

Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, who graced the event, highlighted women’s progress over the years and shed light on women’s achievements, particularly in academia, where more women are attaining professorships and leadership roles.

As a member of a political party that values women’s contributions, the Regional Minister pointed to the government’s commitment to removing barriers that hinder women’s full participation in national development.

“Women still have a long way to go to advance the progress of women. The role of women can never be discounted; hence I commend you for organising this event to celebrate women. So let’s continue to push for women. The government is committed to support women, which is evident in this government’s historic producing of the first woman Vice President of Ghana and we will continue to support women,” he assured.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Evang. Prof. Anthony Joe Turkson called for urgent action to break barriers preventing women from reaching their full potential. He emphasized the importance of inclusivity and urged institutions, communities, and individuals to support women in leadership, business, and education.

He encouraged men to actively support women in decision-making and entrepreneurship while urging women to seize opportunities for growth and advancement.

The Chairperson for the event, Nana Kofi Abuna V, Chief of Essipong, acknowledged the significant role women play in society while highlighting some challenges faced by women.

She encouraged the promotion of girls’ education and empowerment, an increase in women’s representation in leadership positions, ensuring equal pay and economic opportunities for women, and ending gender-based violence and harassment.

The Director of the TTU’s Centre for Gender and Advocacy, CEGENDA, Prof. Ann Dodor, emphasized the need for bold and decisive steps to accelerate gender equality and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where women can thrive, lead, and break barriers.

She highlighted the CEGENDA’s  ongoing efforts in advocacy and empowerment, encouraging all attendees to engage in meaningful discussions and contribute to lasting change.

A panel discussion and open forum section component of the event inspired and challenged girls and women to make a difference.

The well patronised event to mark this year’s International Day of the Woman had in attendance girls from second cycle schools from Sekondi-Takoradi, females from the various security forces, Civil society, traditional authorities among others.

One of the exciting side attractions at the event was the beautiful performances by persons with speaking and hearing impairment. 

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