Accra, March 8, GNA - Mrs. Victoria Priscilla Darkwa, National President of the Committee on Women's Ministry (CWM) of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), on Monday said addressing women's issues required collective effort and mutual responsibility.

She said more importantly, there was the need to recognise their role and place to assert themselves as equal partners in the socio-economic and spiritual development of the church and country. "To do so requires some interventions including the empowerment of women, promotion of the development of their spirituality, engagement in development and income generating activities and constitutional reviews that would promote their cause," she added. Mrs. Darkwa made the observation in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, in commemoration with International Women's Day celebration which falls on March 8.

This year's celebration is under the theme "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All". Mrs. Darkwa stressed the need to empower women in all spheres of their daily lives, adding that such an empowerment was not to seek confrontation but to assist women to realise who they are, their potentials and call to duty.

She said the new executive committee of the CWM had initiated plans to promote this agenda through educational and awareness programmes, motivational and self-development activities, workshops, retreats and leadership seminars. "Our objective is to build and equip the Lord's Vineyard with competent soldiers ready to team up with our men to win souls for the Lord,' she added.

Mrs. Darkwa called on the leadership of the church to make its projects socially-centered, particularly those dealing with women. She said in addition, the leadership should team up with the women and other social partners to promote income generating and self-help projects in the church and outside for the women. "When women are financially resourceful, they are empowered. We on our part would continue with the good works of our predecessors and together with the church and other agencies spearhead this policy". "We need to support our women to support themselves and their families and by so doing promote the cause of the Church," she said. On the church activities, Mrs Darkwa urged the leadership to begin the process of reviewing its systems, rules of engagement and other procedures for the women to gain greater access, become more empowered and emancipated to participate in the life of the church. "Let us join forces and help bring the needed changes in our current circumstances," she said. Mrs Darkwa thanked the women for the trust and confidence reposed in the new executive to serve them, adding "I do hope and pray that together, we would make our ministry and church stronger and better for the good of mankind."