Former Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, has called on women to persist in their efforts to overcome challenges, emphasizing the need for collaboration with men to ensure Ghana’s continued progress and development.
During an appearance on the JoyNews AM show, Nana Oye acknowledged the difficulties women face in the political arena, where participants often encounter abuse and derogatory treatment.
However, she stressed the importance of resilience and focus, urging women to stay determined despite these obstacles.
“If it is really the middle-income status that we want, we do not have a choice—irrespective of the insults, irrespective of the denigration. We must move forward, focus, and partner with men to lead and provide the solutions that will help the people of Ghana live meaningful lives, get jobs, and put three meals on the table,” she stated.
Nana Oye highlighted the need for a collaborative approach involving the government, civil society, and traditional leaders to address the barriers that prevent women from fully contributing their talents to Ghana’s development.
She pointed out that education is crucial in empowering women, acknowledging the progress made while emphasizing that much work remains to be done.
She also noted that cultural and social norms play a significant role in the challenges women face. Drawing attention to a traditional proverb, “it is the cock that crows to announce the dawn,” she explained that women’s public voices are often not accepted as normal, which contributes to the obstacles they encounter.
“That is why we ask the political parties to support women to give of themselves, and I know they would do that. In the NDC, that is being done a lot. You see a lot of mentoring; our political leaders, even at the national level, at all levels, partner with women and encourage women to take up branch positions. You see young women taking up key positions, and that is very welcome. We just have to move,” she added.
Nana Oye’s message was clear: women must continue to push forward, partnering with men to lead and offer solutions that will drive Ghana’s progress and ensure a better future for all.