Mildred Siabi-Mensah/ Lawrencia Esi Annan
Agona Nkwanta (W/R), Feb. 6, GNA - The Daasgift Quality Foundation, an NGO has organised a networking event for women fish processors along the coast of Ahanta West Municipality aimed at building a strong voice and participation in fisheries governance.
The networking programme was also to encourage friendship among women at various landing sites in the coastal communities to enable them to build alliances for engagement in fisheries management and decision making.
Madam Mirabel Okine, the Acting Western Regional Director for the Gender Department, said there was the need for women to engage themselves in decision making.
She said the perspective of both men and women on issues vary, therefore it is important for women to participate in decision making to bring to bare the needs of women.
It has been observed that women are more concerned about the welfare of people and as such when in leadership positions they tend to focus more on solving societal issues.
She urged women to actively participate in decision making concerning any organization they belong to and the society at large.
Mrs. Okine added that, vying for positions come with many benefits including capacity building and financial independence and appealed to them to involve themselves when the opportunity was available.
She said her outfit will collaborate with other stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture as well as the Agriculture Ministry to see to women empowerment and welfare.
Madam Faustina Korankye, of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) also educated the women on the need to stand up for their rights.
She said the 1992 constitution confers on women the right to participate in decision making, adding that, women were strong pillars in their families and society since they make meaningful contributions during decision making and were proactive.
She advised women to capitalize on their larger population size and make their voice heard.
The Chief fisherman of Dixcove, Nana Kweku Dadzie, urged women to speak against improper methods of fishing by fishermen, adding that, they should also desist from buying fish harvested through bad means.
Some of the women the GNA interacted with expressed how beneficial the foundation had been to them in terms of the training.
They admitted that they have now developed a more hygienic method of handling fish. " Their teachings has helped us build good customer relations and how to manage our finances".
Mrs. Gift Baaba Asmah, founder of Daasgift foundation said the mission of Daasgift was to support and empower women to improve their economic income.
The Foundation teaches women new methods of processing and storing fish, how to manage their finances to gain financial independence and also how to apply health and safety measures in fish processing.
Through their training and formation of groups, one of such group had been able to draft their own constitution with defined roles, with about 30 per cent of them taking leadership positions.
Daasgift Quality Foundation FNGO is a civil society organization which provides women and youth empowerment programmes, sustainable agricultural practices and financial inclusion services for vulnerable group at the community and district levels of Ghana.
Their focus areas include financial inclusion, women rights and gender equality, food security and climate change. It also seeks to build the voices of vulnerable women and youth for their inclusion and involvement in governance in all spheres of life at the community, District and National levels.
GNA
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