Women are major contributors to the growth of Ghana's economy - Otiko

The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Otiko Afisa Djaba has underscored the significant role played by Ghanaian women in all aspects of the economy.

She observed that although women’s roles and participation in economic activities have been defined and shaped largely along biological and cultural lines, they have contributed significantly to the growth of the Ghanaian economy and therefore deserve praise.

In a statement in commemoration of Mother’s Day Celebration, the Minister emphasized that the contribution of women to the country’s economy over the years has been tremendous and visible to all in the economic, social, political, health, religious and educational spheres.

According to her, t is estimated that women make up about 85 percent of the wholesale and retail trading business sectors which remain pivotal in the growth of the economy.

Appreciating the enormous contribution of mothers to the welfare of their children, she said:” Mothers worldwide are recognized, acknowledged and accredited as the bedrock of human civilization because without mothers there is no human existence. While not belittling the role of fathers, it is an indisputable fact that the role of mothers in the birth and nurturing of humanity has no substitute. Mothers are first to rise at the crack of dawn and the last to shut their eyes in the depths of night. Mothers are the source of sustenance and the fount of love. Mothers are our store of sympathy and our bulwark of protection. For mothers, no sacrifice is impracticable to protect, nurture and sustain their young. All human beings owe our upbringing largely to the dedication, love and sacrifice of our incomparable mothers”

Read the full statement below

STATEMENT BY HON. OTIKO AFISAH DJABA, MINISTER OF GENDER, CHILDREN AND SOCIAL PROTECTION ON THE CELEBRATION OF MOTHERS DAY ON SUNDAY 13TH MAY 2018

Today, Sunday, 13th May 2018, is another opportunity to honor, admire and respect the women of the world as we celebrate Mother’s Day. Mothers’ Day has become one of the most significant anniversaries in the international calendar of events because it resonates with all societal traditions, cultures and customs worldwide. It is this recognition of the existential significance of motherhood as a fundamental condition for the survival of humankind that this Day has assumed such importance in our lives.

Mothers worldwide are recognized, acknowledged and accredited as the bedrock of human civilization because without mothers there is no human existence. While not belittling the role of fathers, it is an indisputable fact that the role of mothers in the birth and nurturing of humanity has no substitute. Mothers are first to rise at the crack of dawn and the last to shut their eyes in the depths of night. Mothers are the source of sustenance and the fount of love.

Mothers are our store of sympathy and our bulwark of protection. For mothers, no sacrifice is impracticable to protect, nurture and sustain their young. All human beings owe our upbringing largely to the dedication, love and sacrifice of our incomparable mothers.

On the occasion of Mothers Day 2018, I wish to appreciate, applaud and acknowledge the mothers of Ghana in particular and the world in general for their contributions, and sacrifices on behalf of the Government and People of Ghana. As the organ with direct oversight over issues with direct impacts and outcomes on women and children, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is keenly aware of the challenges, difficulties and tribulations of women and we are leaving no stone unturned in the struggle to ensure equity, justice and fairness in governance, and the allocation of resources in Ghana.

The occasion of Mother’s Day is very relevant to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and all women in Ghana as it presents a platform to acknowledge the very significant contributions of Ghanaian women as mothers and the need to harness their full potential for accelerated and sustainable national development. Although women’s roles and participation in economic activities have been defined and shaped largely along biological and cultural lines, Ghanaian women have actually made significant strides in all aspects of the economy, especially in the agricultural and service sectors.

Today, more Ghanaian women are getting out of their homes into paid jobs and are stoically combining their work at home as homemakers with jobs outside the home as income-earners.

The contribution of women to the country’s economy over the years has been tremendous and visible to all in the economic, social, political, health, religious and educational spheres. It is estimated that women make up about 85 per cent of the wholesale and retail trading business sectors.

Indeed, in Ghana, women are found working mostly in the informal sector; from small-scale farming activities, retail business on table tops at markets and street corners to managing micro enterprises.

The above achievements notwithstanding, cultural, educational and economic challenges persist and hinder the progress of many which need to be surmounted. After signing on to CEDAW 1979 (ratified on 2nd January 1986), Beijing Platform for Action 1994, International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ratified 7th December 2000), and African Charter on Human and Peoples Right signed on 3rd July, 2004, Ghana has developed policies and laws (National Gender Policy, Affirmative Action Bill, Social Protection Policy, and the Free SHS etc) to gradually provide a conducive environment for empowering mothers and future mothers to regain their self-worth and dignity.

It is also disheartening that despite the policies, laws and programs, our young girls who are future mothers of Ghana continue to suffer dehumanizing practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Child marriage, defilement and sexual abuse etc.

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection continues to draw strength and motivation from the fact that Ghanaian women have demonstrated empirically their creative, managerial, imaginative and innovative capacities. Among the numerous role models that represent the fortitude, charisma and success of the Ghanaian woman and mother are the First lady of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Mrs. Samira Bawumia, Her Ladyship the Chief Justice, Madam Sophia Akuffo, the Chief of Staff, Madam Frema Opare Osei, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, the Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Mrs. Awadzi, to mention but a few. A special mention to my dear mother, Mrs. Shiata Bawah for her love and care for me.

The Ministry salutes the numerous women achievers in the corporate world, women parliamentarians, ministers, women in the informal sector, academia and the security agencies, among others.

As we in Ghana join the international community to celebrate and acknowledge our gallant and loving mothers, let us reach out to our mothers and all the women who have impacted our lives and say AYEKOO to them. Sunday, 13th May 2018 is their Day of Honour and Recognition and they deserve all the accolades we can muster to celebrate them.

I wish you a Memorable and Unforgettable Mothers Day.