Book on positive values of the Ghanaian family launched

Accra, Nov. 25, GNA - A book entitled "Bridges of Development: A Compendium of Gender and the Ghanaian Family" that opens the floodgates of knowledge on the family system was launched in Accra on Thursday.

Dr Angela Ofori-Atta, Deputy Minister of Manpower Development and Employment described the book as giving a clear understanding that the Ghanaian family was an institution that ought to be studied systematically under several variables.

Professor Elizabeth Ardayfio-Schandorf, National Coordinator of the Family and Development Programme (FDP) is the author.

Launching the 624-paged multi-disciplinary book, Professor Mike Oquaye, Ghana's High Commissioner to India, recommended it to development practitioners, researchers, Academia and the Judiciary. He paid a glowing tribute to the author for her excellent piece of work, adding that, the book was a valuable resource that was long overdue.

Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, emphasized the invaluable contribution of the informative book to the academic literature on two intriguing concepts - the family and gender. She described it as a reference material, a guide and a working document backed by painstaking research.

She also recommended it to Ministries, Departments and Agencies, gender activists, social commentators, Journalists as well as gender desk officers.

Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, who reviewed the book, said: "It has opened up possibilities that areas already researched may have follow-up studies done."

Professor Schandorf in her acknowledgement advised Ghanaians to strive to preserve, protect, and strengthen the positive values of the family as a people.

She said the absence of formal social support institutions remained a formidable and potential force for the country's social, economic and political development.

Prof. Schandorf also expressed appreciation to all individuals and organizations that supported the production of the book.

The launching, which attracted a large audience was, organized by FDP and the University of Ghana in collaboration with the United Nations Systems Gender Programme.