Women asked to grab leadership roles in society

Accra, Aug 17. GNA - Hajia Ramatu Mahama, wife of Vice President Aliu Mahama on Thursday asked women to copy the leadership qualities of the legendary Asante War General; Yaa Asantewaa, by taking a leading role in the development of the country.

She said it was not too late for women to assert themselves through their numerical strength and being proactive to bring social and economic changes in society by sacrificing a little to raise their children to become useful citizens in society.

Hajia Mahama, who made this known when she met with a 14-member delegation of Queen Mothers from across the country at her official residence in Accra, said they must also bring relief to the needy by extending a hand of support to people living in slums and other deprived areas.

Addressing the Queen Mothers, who were mainly from the Akan speaking areas in the country in the Twi language, she asked them not to be swayed by fashion and other material trappings of life but should rather be inspired to support girls in their communities to enrol in school in order to be transformed into future leaders of the country who could even become Heads of State.

Hajia Mahama challenged them to support the fight against HIV/AIDS by visiting Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and to show them the love they needed most to recover.

The Spokesperson for the Queen Mothers, Nana Ama Serwaa Bonsu, Queen Mother of Offinso Kayira, invited Hajia Mahama to become the Patron of Queen Mothers Support Association, a development oriented non-governmental organization (NGO) they formed five months ago. She said the NGO was established by 30 Queen Mothers working in Accra, who were determined to support vulnerable children and women, help alleviate poverty and to fight against HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy and the settlement of disputes within their communities.