Young Women in Ho Empowered for Policy Engagement at Ghana Grows Policy Round TableYoung women have been challenged to take inspiration from role models who have gone ahead of them and accomplish great things for themselves, their families, communities, and the nation.
This was the rallying call by speakers at the Ghana Grows Policy Round Table Discussion held at the Volta Region , Ho.
The Round Table which brought together 120 young women from Ho and surrounding communities, and hundreds of online participants, was aimed to equipping them with the skills to engage with policymakers at national and decentralized levels.This engagement is part of the Ghana Grows Programme; a collaborative initiative by Mastercard Foundation and the Springboard Road Show Foundation.
The Ghana Grows Programme empowers young people, particularly young women, and people with disabilities, to explore career paths in agriculture, agribusiness, and technical and vocational fields.
The Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation, Comfort Ocran, in her welcome address, called on community leaders, educators, and students to add their voices to expand the conversation and inspire young people to use a gender responsive approach in tackling barriers. She also touched on the many dignified and fulfilling jobs in Agric and ATVET the Ghana Grows Programme offers.
The Policy Round Table Discussion specifically addressed Commitments 1 and 2 of Chapter 5 of the National Gender Policy: Women’s Empowerment & Livelihoods and Women’s Rights & Access to Justice.
Mrs. Hilary Gbedemah, a speaker at the event, shared her life story, the lessons learned, and motivated Ghana’s youth to aim high and overcome the obvious obstacles they were bound to encounter. She emphasized the need for psychosocial support as we aim to raise a strong society. Mrs. Gbedmah further encouraged the youth to always see the good in every situation, stressing that their location should not be a barrier to accomplishment. “The son does not refuse to shine on a village because it is small”, she stressed.
Dr. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, the Executive Director of the Ark Foundation, spoke about how her Foundation has worked with different organizations and individuals to restore hope to many young women nationwide, providing accommodation, health, education, food, and shelter. She concluded her speech by asking a profound question: “What can be done to help restore young women who have been abused?”
By equipping these young women with the tools for policy engagement, the Ghana Grows Policy Round Table Discussion hopes to dismantle barriers that hinder female participation and create awareness of opportunities that can help them achieve their full potential.
The event left a profound impact on participants, instilling a sense of purpose and determination to actively engage in shaping policies and driving positive change within their communities and beyond. “Aside the awareness created, and knowledge gained, I feel confident to advocate for myself and my community in accessing opportunities to achieve our full potential, particularly in the Agriculture and ATVET sectors, Kekeli Adzo, a participant shared.
By Gabriel Asempa, Ho, Volta Region.
