Women introduced to leadership skills development

Accra, May 15, GNA - Ghanaian women have been urged to work towards their increase participation in political and economic platforms to help fight for gender equity in all endeavours.

"Although there are only 25 women in parliament and fewer Ministers of State, you need to rise up to the task of building capacity, mentoring one another, grooming and equipping yourselves in preparation for higher engagements", Dr Jatinder Cheema, Charge d'Affaires of the United States Embassy said in Accra on Tuesday, when she opened a day's seminar on Executive Women's Leadership Skills Development. The seminar was organized by the Public Affairs Section of the United States Embassy to impact into the participants, the five leadership behaviour practices namely, "Model the Way", "Inspire a Shared Vision", "Challenge the Process", "Enable others to Act" and "Encourage the Heart".

Participants, mostly women parliamentarians, leaders of non-governmental organisations, gender advocates and men interested in women issues would also be taken through how to identify their strengths and weaknesses as leaders and how to improve on them using the five leadership behaviour practices.

The seminar forms part of Ghana's Golden Jubilee mission activities focusing on women. Similar seminars have been organized in Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region and would be extended to other regions, on the theme: "Generations of Women Moving History Forward".

Dr Cheema explained that Ghanaian women had played very important roles in Ghana's struggle for independence, "but unfortunately, their efforts have not been accepted and recognized appropriately". She commended Ghanaian women who played a role in ensuring the passage of the Domestic Violence Bill.

Professor Akosua Adomako Ampofo, Head, Centre for Gender Studies of the University of Ghana, Legon, said women leaders in their various organizations and communities were faced with many significant challenges and urged participants to always be honest, forward-looking, competent and inspiring, since these were the virtues that people always looked out for and admire in their leaders.