Veep calls for partnership to empower the vulnerable

Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has called for effective partnership in empowering the weak and vulnerable, especially women, the youth and people living with disabilities.

He said government's strategy in empowering District Assemblies is to create capacities and competencies at the level of local governance to enable the people to take charge of their lives and to respond to their needs.

Vice-President Amissah-Arthur made the call on Tuesday at the 25th Anniversary celebration of ActionAid Ghana, an NGO and the launch of its Country Strategy Paper (CSP V) in Accra on the theme: “25 Years of Fighting Poverty Together for National Development”.

The CSP V drives ActionAid Ghana’s development programmes for the next five years and comes under the name “Increasing Possibilities, Claiming Rights” which reflect the connection between basic human rights as a necessity and the development possibilities in achieving the strategic plan.

He said government believed strongly in the role of partnerships and the contribution of international NGOs to the development of the country.

The Vice-president commended ActionAid Ghana for promoting rights in schools programme, which has enhanced the assertiveness and confidence of school girls through their participation in girls camp, clubs and young female parliament.

He said the NGO has envisaged a world without poverty and injustice in which every person enjoys their rights to a life of dignity, adding that, the dignity any one can enjoy is tied to the commitment towards the poorest communities.

“Government believes in working together with civil society organizations and private sectors to share ideas and development perspectives, as well as draw on our strengths and weaknesses for better results,” he added.

He said the National Development Planning Commission has been working towards a 40 year national development plan for the country and that there is an ongoing consultative process that welcomes ideas and suggestions from all spheres to ensure an effective plan.

Vice-President Amissah-Arthur urged all to take interest in the upcoming September District Level Elections to revamp the capacities of local communities to pursue the aspirations of addressing poverty and redressing injustice.

Madam Marilyn Aniwa, Board Chair of ActionAid Ghana, said the goal of the CSP V is to increase people’s possibility and capacity to make the most of their potential, and that, it builds on previous strategies and analyses, emerging trends from the local and international contexts.

She said the Organization is committed to working with people living in poverty and injustice to increase their possibilities and capacity to make the most of their potential to live a better life.

Madam Aniwa commended the contributions of development partners, especially donors and child sponsors, government institutions, human rights and democratic institutions for their support as they celebrate 25 years of existence.

Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said the Ministry is pleased to be associated with the NGO, working in close collaboration for the achievement of mutual goals and objectives.

Four former country directors of ActionAid Ghana were presented with a plaque for their outstanding contributions to the success of the organization.

They are Dr Suleimana Abdulai, Mrs Frema Osei-Opare, Mrs Taaka Awori and Mrs Adwoa Kwateng Kluvitse.