Empower rural women to reduce hunger, malnutrition – NGO

Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, the Chief Executive Officer of Global Media Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, on Monday called on government and civil society organisations to improve the financial base of women in rural communities to reduce hunger and malnutrition among children.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Sunyani to mark International Women’s Day, Mr Ahenu said women are the backbone of the rural economy and they needed to be empowered to enable them improve on rural livelihood.

He said investing in women in rural areas would significantly reduce poverty and that it was important to increase their access to land, livestock and also assisting them to gain employable skills.

Touching on the theme for this year’s celebration of the Day “gender agenda: gaining momentum”, Mr Ahenu reiterated the need for African leaders to give priority to gender issues to bridge the gap between men and women.

He commended President John Dramani Mahama for appointing many women to serve in ministerial positions and said has was optimistic more of them would also be given the opportunity to serve as deputy ministers and Chief Executives.

Mr Ahenu said the NGO, which works to enhance the general well being of women in deprived communities, intends to honour queen mothers and other women leaders in the Brong-Ahafo Region who had played significant roles in empowering women.

Source: GNA