Widowhood is not by choice; Stop the discrimination - Upper East Regional Minister

The Upper East Regional Minister, Paulina Patience Abayage has called on members of the society to desist from actions that deepen the plight of widows and orphans.

She said it was worrisome how a section of society is treating widows and orphans as though it was by choice that they lost their families.

Patience Abayage, who was speaking during an engagement with over a thousand members of the Wemo-Atu Widows and Orphans Ministry in Navrongo on Monday, strongly condemned the conduct of society such as insults and name-calling against widows and indicated that it was time such energy is channeled into their empowerment for the total good of the society.

“Widowhood is the making of God. It is not the making of Mankind. It is not by choice. So when you are hit by such a situation, it shouldn’t be something that humans should judge you for. It shouldn’t be a crime when your husband or your mother or father dies, leaving you. It shouldn’t be the basis for people to begin to label you and call you names. No woman will wish to see their husband dead. Widowhood is very tough and we should begin to look at how to empower these single mothers taking care of their families without their husbands”. She stated in the Kasem dialect.

The Minister, who was overwhelmed by the turnout and membership of the group, stressed her commitment to helping widows and orphans in the area, noting that human empowerment and job creation are the best approaches to eliminating hunger and poverty which are the main challenges of the widows and orphans.

She indicated that she will seek support from international bodies for the Ministry to enable it to continue to put smiles on the faces of the vulnerable and every member of the association.

“My coming into office is for all groups of people. But I will work more for the improvement of the lives of widows and orphans. I know the struggles most of you go through to take care of your families. It’s not easy. I want to assure that Pastor Lamisi and I will work closely to bring you all the needed improvement and empowerment. In addition, I will engage with some international bodies to see if they can help you (the Ministry) so that together we can develop and expand the association”. Ambassador Abayage indicated reassuringly.

Patience Abayage later made a cash donation in support of the Ministry and encouraged the widows to make the most out of every opportunity that presents itself to support the families their husbands have left behind.

The Founder of the Ministry, Pastor Lamisi Weyiramogwi, and the widows, some of whom were short of words, expressed their gratitude to Paulina Patience Abayage for the time she spent with them and the donation. They showered blessing on the Minister for her kind gesture.