By Akosua Frema Frempong
Women’s rights advocates and civil society organisations from across Ghana convened in Kumasi this week to assess the nation’s progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The forum, organised by the Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT), focused on reviewing the Beijing Platform for Action, a landmark agreement adopted at the World Conference on Women in 1995.
Participants including activists from the Ashanti, Bono, and Ahafo regions, engaged in in-depth discussions on the achievements and challenges in advancing women’s and girls’ rights. The forum aimed to identify gaps, develop new commitments, and formulate action plans to accelerate progress towards gender equality.
“We are here to conduct a comprehensive review of the Beijing Platform for Action,” said Patricia Blankson Akakpo, Executive Director of NETRIGHT. “This involves examining the progress made, identifying remaining challenges, and making concrete recommendations to ensure that we advance gender equality and women’s rights in Ghana.”
The forum served as a platform for stakeholders to share best practices, lessons learned, and regional perspectives on gender equality.
A gender activist, Madam Aba Oppong, highlighted the significance of the gathering, stating, “This meeting is enhancing the improvements discussed during the Beijing conference, where 12 key issues were identified to support women and girls.”
The discussions and outcomes of the Kumasi forum will inform the development of a national report, which will be presented at the upcoming global forum under the auspices of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York next month.
In addition to the review of the Beijing Platform for Action, the forum also paid tribute to the late Mrs. Elizabeth Adubofour, NETRIGHT’s Ashanti Regional Focal Person, with a solemn vigil held in her honour.
The Kumasi forum represents a crucial step in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and empower women and girls. The insights and recommendations generated from this gathering will play a vital role in shaping policies and programs aimed at achieving a more just and equitable society for all.
