Story by Samuel Adoba.
The Centre for Active Citizenship and Leadership (CACL) hosted women in leadership forum to mark the much-anticipated International Women’s Day Celebration 2018 in a momentous fashion.
The forum was held at the African University College of Communication (AUCC)
with the theme, Press for Progress attracted various levels of women in leadership to share their views and experiences as far as women leadership is concerned.
In attendance were several high-level personalities including the Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Madam Josephine Nkrumah, the President of the AUCC, Dr Koryoe Anim Wright, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ghana members, Alumni of Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and other dignitaries.
Also present emerging female leaders from the academia, private sector, civic society and public sector.
The event took off with resounding speeches from the Chairperson of NCCE who urged women to be role models to young women, be resilient in their quest to attain higher leadership roles.
She also stated that issues bothering on women in leadership is multifaceted but despite the challenges, women must be given recognition for how far they have come.
The President of AUCC also emphasized on the need to recognize women for their hard work, she said there is the need for strong recognition of the benefits of women in leadership, often women have been mistaken to be the assistant or representative of a male dominated event or gathering, hence recognition of women occupying certain position in both private and public sector has been met with mis-reactions at national and local levels, she also admonished women to proud of their accomplishment.
The Executive Director of CACL and the organizer of the conference, Priscilla Aninnwaa Oware charged women to step up for higher responsibilities, she also urged participants to develop their talent, she admonished women to have a vision, plan well before taking on any project or leadership role.
She said women need not to compete with men but rather be the best at what hey do, women play a pivotal role in society.
Miss Pricila Aniwaa encouraged all present to join the organization to further the agenda of increasing women participation in leadership.
Miss Priscilla also admonished all women present at the forum to vigorously implement initiatives related to the targets of SDG 5 (Gender Equality) to press for progress in development in Ghana and globally.
The event continued with a panel discussion on the topic of women participation in leadership and how women in Ghana have fared so far.
On the panel was Priscilla Naa Aklerh Okantey (Reachout World Ministries), Ruth Temis Afoko of Temi Foundation, Joyce Boadi Okyere of Posky Plus, Philippa Nana Owusua Prempeh of She Community and Yaa Kyeraa Philis and moderated by the Executive Project Director of the Junior Internship Program (JIP), Josephine Akwele Offei. Other members of CACL, the general audience added their voices in contributions and questions to the panelists after the main submissions from the panelists.
In closing remarks, the Senior Consultant of Rainbow Innovations Limited, Stephen Selasie Asuo commended all the participants, women present, the special guests and the organizers for their huge contributions to women in leadership.
He further encouraged women to support themselves rather than criticize women in leadership unnecessarily.
He also said the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would only be achieved when women get involved in policy making and civic engagement.
The forum ended with group photos, networking refreshment, expectations from the participants and high prospects for Centre for Active Citizenship and Leadership (CACL) to lead more initiatives and programmes.
The event was proudly supported by African University College of Communication, Rainbow Innovations, (Godson’s organization), Kofi TV, Campaigns Africa and Truskie Bakes.