The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, has said that the Akufo-Addo government has shown commitment to women empowerment. However, she believes more still needs to be done for women to take their rightful places in the decision making process in the country.
According to the Chief of Staff, closing gender gaps, especially in public life, is a critical issue for countries seeking to foster inclusive growth and build trust in public institutions. She explained that women in public service have traditionally occupied what are called “soft sectors”, like education and health, calling for a concerted effort in giving women the needed push in the country.
Speaking at the 11th anniversary conference of Leading Ladies Network, Mrs Frema Osei-Opare said supporting women is a key priority for the government. This, she said, is evidenced in the role being played by President Akufo-Addo as the African Union’s Champion for Gender Advocacy, and also evident in his appointment of capable women in both his first and second term administrations.
“Indeed, the Government of Ghana continues to show enough commitment towards women empowerment by calving deliberate policies, providing financial assistance, channelling training and development measures to the advantage of women.
“However, there is more to be done to empower women to take their rightful place in decision making process in Ghana, so as to contribute to the accelerated development that we all desire for our country and our people,” she emphasised.
Support
She explained that, having been privileged to become the first female Chief of Staff, her survival in “this male dominated field” has been the grace of God and constant motivation given her by the President.
“His Excellency the President is a hands-on person…; believes in possibilities and gives no room for barriers. He has also over the period offered his unflinching support and confidence in my work and that has made the journey smooth so far,” she said.
The Chief of Staff noted that she had also enjoyed the co-operation of government appointees, party leadership and a dedicated and very supportive team.
“Finally, my achievement has so far been as a result of perseverance, determination, hard work and the zeal to succeed,” she added.
Indispensable
The Chief of Staff noted that the indispensable role of women in nation building in all facets of the world’s economy can never be underestimated, adding that women remain critical in the development of every sector, hence the essence of the ‘Leading Ladies Network’.
She explained that the world is in a season of global economic shift that calls for women to position themselves for better opportunities, especially in public service, saying nations benefit when women rise into positions of public leadership. She applauded women who are taking leadership positions in recent times.
“Most recently, Africans around the world celebrated the appointment of Dr. Ngozi Okomjo-Iweala as the first African and first female Director-General (DG) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This remarkable achievement raises the bar even higher for the next generation of women leaders.
“Women generally make up more than half of the population, and the public sector is an important employer in many developing countries. For these reasons, equal participation in public administration is a key part of strengthening the relationship between the citizens and their governments,” she said.
