By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The United Nations Association of Ghana Commission for Women and Children Affairs (UNACWCA), a functional commission affiliated with the United Nations Association Ghana, a member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations, has unveiled some personalities from all walks of life as Goodwill ambassadors for the Commission.
Among these personalities are astute Ghanaian musicians like Eugene Kwame Marfo, who goes by the stage name, Kwami Eugene, and gospel icon Ohemaa Mercy.
Other distinguished ambassadors who were unveiled on the day include household names such as Oseadeeyo Nana Kumi Kodie, Eva Newlove, Maame Adwoa Cann, and Elizabeth Amoaa. While Goodwill ambassadors, Mavis Amankwaah, Eric Akoto, and Brian Amoateng were sworn in virtually from the UK.
These outstanding personalities are expected to use their invaluable positions and popularity to advance the cause of women’s empowerment whilst assisting the Commission’s outreach project.
In its giant quest to step beyond the boundaries of oratory advocacy, the Commission used the occasion to launch its Shelter project, which seeks to provide dignifying residences for women and children living on pavements and streets in Accra.
The Shelter Project, according to the Commission, also seeks to help reverse the narrative on the rising housing deficit situation that has compounded the plights of vulnerable people, especially women and children in Ghana.
Upon completion, the Shelter project will consist of a 60-bed capacity Health center, facility management unit, Auditorium, early childhood development center, Vocational training center, and Technical training center with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics lab).
The project, which is expected to be completed within a 24-month period, will also be equipped with a 250-capacity cafeteria unit, 12-unit class block, Talent development center, 500 capacity accommodation, 10 block unit staff residence, and a 100-seater library unit, sprawling on 100 acres of land.
In her welcome address at at International Conference Center, the National Head of UNACWCA, Madam Jemima Adukpo, called for more collaboration among well-meaning people.
Explaining that the fallouts of COVID-19, with its attendant problems of rising inflationary rates, high cost of living, high unemployment, and general levels of despondency call for more action than before. Adding that the Ukraine-Russia war, which is still raging, has compounded the already volatile and vulnerable situation COVID-19 wrecked on nations and individuals, the world over.
According to her, women and children are faced with massive socio-economic challenges all over the world, the twin toxic mix of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russian war has dealt a big blow to the lives of children, girls, and young women.
“Their already vulnerable economic, social, and health situations have been worsened. If there is any silver lining in these troubling crises then, perhaps, it is the fact that the vulnerabilities of these groups have been amplified.
I cringe at the sight of many homeless children and women, sleeping on pavements and streets. Beyond the inhumanity of this tale, many of these street children become exposed to the vagaries of the weather and many criminal vices, creating a vicious cycle of insecurity in our society.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, let me dare say that our quest for a resilient and equal society would be compromised if we fail to, in our collective ways, arrest this rising social phenomenon of homeless and streetism,” the National Head of UNACWCA stated on Friday, July 08, 2022.
Over the years, the United Nations Association of Ghana Commission for Women and Children Affairs (UNACWCA) has promoted gender equality and empowerment of women, through high-powered engagements and advocacy among government functionaries, the diplomatic community, celebrities, astute business people, and other philanthropic organizations.
