Over 50 women from various groups—including religious bodies, persons living with disabilities, and minority tribes—gathered in Paga, the capital of the Kassena-Nankana West District in the Upper East Region, for an educational forum on the principles of rule of law and Ghana’s anti-corruption campaign.
The event, themed “Civic Engagements on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption,” was organized by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).The NCCE is spearheading targeted educational campaigns for women’s groups across 60 districts in Ghana, as part of the Participation, Accountability, and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) project, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
This initiative is co-financed by the Europe Union (EU) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), with support from the Ministry of Finance. In his welcome remarks, Mr. Robert Dampare, the District Director for NCCE, expressed the fulfillment that comes from engaging with local communities to promote national development.
He emphasized the importance of conducting public education in an informal and interactive atmosphere, allowing women to share real-life experiences and focus on empowerment and development issues. The NCCE aims to ensure inclusivity, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable groups, while using local languages and collecting feedback from participants.
ASP Mariam Awemoni, the Upper East Regional DOVVSU Coordinator, presented on Civic Rights and Responsibilities under the 1992 Constitution. She highlighted that the Constitution guarantees fundamental human rights and urged women to fully exercise their rights and participate in civic life.
ASP Awemoni encouraged women to embrace leadership roles and act as agents of peace and community development.
She noted the vital role women’s associations play in empowering women, advocating for social justice, and fostering community accountability. Quoting a famous saying, she stated, “A woman is the full circle; within her is the power to create, nurture, and transform.
”Mr. Braimah Sanjage, CEO of the Navrongo-based NGO STA4GRAB, discussed key areas of women’s rights, emphasizing the right to equal access to education, freedom from harmful cultural practices, and equality in marriage and family life.
He acknowledged that, despite progress, women’s rights remain unrealized globally, with challenges varying by region.
He pointed out issues such as the gender pay gap, underrepresentation of women in leadership, and persistent violence against women.
He urged vigilance in reporting violations of women’s rights.
Topics covered in the forum included the Rule of Law and Women’s Rights, Corruption and Women’s Vulnerability, Women as Change Agents, Forms of Corruption, and Community Integrity and Market Accountability .