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General News of Thursday, 10 July 2003

Source: GNA

Women are making progress in their lives- Gloria Akuffo

Oyibi (G/A), July 10, GNA- Ms Gloria Afua Akuffo, a Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice on Thursday said despite the disadvantaged position that the average girl-child is placed, records show that women are making significant progress in the national and domestic lives.

She said the call by Women's Groups for "Affirmative Action" in the appointment of women to leadership positions should be based on the person's ability to deliver.

Ms Akuffo was opening the First South Conference of the Women's Ministries of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA) at the Valley View University, Oyibi, in the Greater Accra Region.

She said in pursuance of this, the appropriate qualitative balance would be given and not merely to create a "Gender balance" adding, "So that, in whatever capacity we serve we can rise to the challenge and give a good account of ourselves", she said.

The theme for the congress is: "United by the wonder of his grace". The five-day congress aimed at offering opportunities for women to interact and share common experiences while setting goals for the future.

About 500 delegates from the Adventists Women from the Central, Greater Accra and the Volta regions are attending the congress. Ms Akuffo said sometimes affirmative action was misunderstood and misapplied by various interest groups.

"While we strive to do our bit, we must guard against mediocrity", she said.

The Deputy Attorney-General said the exploitation of child labour continues to disgrace the country and has also been a major contributing factor in creating the economically disadvantaged groups in the society. Madam Charlotte Osei-Agyeman, Women's Ministries Director of the Church said the SDA Church will continue to champion the cause of women because they make unique contributions in life in areas of social justice, health and other humanitarian needs.