Gender
Attacks on EC boss unacceptable-Women’s right groups.
The Abantu for Development and the Women’s Manifesto Coalition (WMC) have registered their displeasure at the recent personal attacks on the Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Jean Mensa.
According to a statement under the signature of the Executive Director of Abantu for Development, Dr Rose Mensah-Kutin, “those attacks on the EC boss are revolting, horrendous, awful and unacceptable”.
“We write jointly to indicate our horror at the increasing rate of attacks on women who take up leadership positions in our country.” they said.
According to them, unfortunately, we have sat in our comfort zones of incredulity, that now these abhorrent, vile, incendiary and contemptible verbal attacks are passing the threshold into threats of death.
“We are deeply saddened that women in leadership positions have faced multiple insults and acts of degradation over the years while performing their assigned and constitutionally mandated duties”. according to the statement.
According to the groups, in recent times, women in Ghana have managed to ascend to very high profile positions of leadership, some for the first time- the first woman Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood; the first woman Electoral Commissioner, Charlotte Osei; the first woman Speaker of Parliament, Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo and others.
These women and others served under the barrage of vitriol and threats, approval and disapproval from various sections of our citizenry. Nevertheless, they contributed in no small way, in progressing the aspirations and motivations of so many other women and helped push the nation’s required mandate of promoting women in institutional arrangements for sustainable development.
ABANTU for Development and the Women Manifesto Coalition have been consistent in their support and defence of women in national policy and decision spaces. As organisations, we will continue to advocate for the need for Ghana to hold itself accountable to its constitutional mandate of increasing women’s equal participation and representation in public policy making and decision making at all levels.
“We want to assure Mrs. Jean Mensa that we recognise the difficulties associated with serving in such a combative position as the Electoral Commissioner trying to satisfy strong diverse political viewpoints in the hope of delivering universally acceptable democratic and electoral outcomes”, the statement reiterated.
” What we will continue to condemn are threats of harm and death because those too contribute to the highest level of denial of human rights. We will however continue to support efforts at building consensus, compliance with constitutional mandates and the promotion of human rights, women’s rights and democratic governance.” The statement said.
By GhanaianTimes
Gender
Faith Dzakpasu receives huge global recognition
Ghana’s 2023 Best Teacher, Faith Aku Dzakpasu, has been named in the top 50 shortlist for the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize.
Organised by Varkey Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the award is given to an exceptional teacher making significant impact on students and the community.
She was selected from over 5,000 nominations and applications from 89 countries across the world.
Now in its ninth year, the one million dollars Global Teacher Prize is the largest prize of its kind.
She made the mark following an incredible teaching philosophy which focuses on innovative and inclusive strategies tailored to meet the diverse needs of students.
She also employs research-based methods like Layering Text, Cross Text Analysis and tools such as ChatGPT to simplify complex concepts.
Speaking to The Spectator in Accra on Monday, she explained that her classroom fosters creativity, active participation and hands-on learning, integrating digital tools like Canva and 3D modelling software.
“I have also established centres for supporting students with learning disabilities and offers creative modules to help all learners succeed, regardless of their challenges,” she stated.
“Being selected for this award is a remarkable milestone in my teaching journey as I look forward to impacting on children and society at large,” she stated.
She encouraged teachers to be committed to their duty and go the extra mile to impact knowledge into children.
“We must continue to find new way to make teaching and learning more flexible and understandable,” she stressed.
“Visually engaging classroom designs and inclusive methods would consistently boost attendance, confidence and academic performance,” she explained.
On her own, Mrs Dzakpasu founded the Street School Project, bringing education to street children and the Creative Aid Agenda, which has trained over 4,200 individuals in entrepreneurial skills like biodegradable paper bag crafting.
She also established the Mother of Many Missions orphanage project, supporting orphans with essentials and education. Her “Reinventing Behind Bars” initiative empowers incarcerated women with self-care and reintegration tools.
Ms Dzakpasu, is a teacher at Doblo Gonno Methodist Basic School in the Ga West Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Gender
SDA Women’s Ministries observe International Day of Prayer
The Women’s Ministries Department of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church observed the International Day of Prayer on March 1 at various SDA churches across the country.
The event, held on the theme ‘Reach Out,’ was aimed to empower women to spread the gospel, hope, kindness, and compassion to those in need.
Delivering the sermon at the New Life SDA Church last Saturday, Dr Mrs Cecilia Agyei Darko, former Acting Principal of the SDA College of Education (SEDACOE), encouraged women to stand firm in their faith because God allowed them to go through tribulations and trials to strengthen their faith in Him.
According to her, there would be times in their lives when they might lose a dear one, but even in those difficult times, they must still be thankful to God.
The former Acting Principal encouraged the women to reach out to the poor and vulnerable, and share their testimonies to inspire others.
Dr Darko, therefore emphasised the need for the women to carry with them a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to reach out to those in need.
As part of the programme, the women also lifted prayers for the nation and for leaders who would prioritise the welfare of citizens.
They also thanked God for a peaceful election.
The International Day of Prayer served as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, hope, and compassion in the face of adversity.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
