By Samira Larbie
Accra, March 11, GNA – Mrs Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, the Executive Director of the Ark Foundation, has called for justice for the late Joana Deladem Yabani, the student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, who was killed by her boyfriend.
She said the horrific incident emphasised the urgent need to address toxic relationships and ensure the safety of young women.
She urged young women not to see relationships as the ultimate goal but to prioritise their well-being and protection.
Mrs Dwamena-Aboagye made the call in a press statement copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in commemorating the International Women’s Day on the theme: “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality”.
She implored men to be allies in the fight for gender equality and the end of violence against women, saying: “Together, Let us rise to these challenges and forge a future of resilience, dignity, and progress for all Ghanaians”.
It reminded the Government of the urgent need to put structures in place to implement the Affirmative Action Act, adding that the Private Members’ Bill and the Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill must all be quickly passed to protect vulnerable women.
It said sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives was crucial for stronger coordination and gender mainstreaming across all sectors.
It is imperative to strengthen constitutional provisions to ensure women’s rights are not eroded by evolving ideologies or persisting cultural norms, it added.
The International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8, gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, as well as violence and abuse against women.
It acknowledges the pivotal role women have played in shaping the nation’s history and their continued contributions to development.
“As we commemorate the International Women’s Day with the theme ‘Accelerate Action for Gender Equality,’ we also recognise Ghana’s 68th Independence Day on the theme: ‘Reflect, Review, Reset.”
“These themes encourage us to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of women in Ghana’s journey to independence and beyond, review the progress made, and reset our goals for a brighter future.”
The statement said women were instrumental in Ghana’s fight for independence. Women who fought on the streets for Ghana’s independence were fearless and resilient, including ordinary women, women from organised labour, farmers, market women, and concerned citizens.
“Women like Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey, Susanna Al-Hassan, and Mabel Dove Danquah, just to mention a few, led demonstrations that mobilised communities and risked their lives to demand freedom and played a crucial role in the nation’s struggle for sovereignty.”
Despite the achievements women had made in the workforce, particularly in the formal sector, disparities in economic opportunities, wages, and access to resources persisted.
“Women continue to face barriers in political representation and leadership, with their participation in decision-making processes remaining inadequate,” it added.
It was, thus, essential to address those systemic issues to ensure that women fully contributed to the nation’s development, it said.
The statement called for decisive steps to address the challenges and build a more inclusive and equitable society.
It again commended Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her achievement as the first female vice president of Ghana.
“This milestone should not remain merely symbolic. She must be empowered to drive development in key sectors of human development, ensuring that her leadership translates into tangible progress and positive change for all Ghanaians,” it added.
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