The Women’s Commission, NUGS, UCC Chapter has organised the Women Economic Empowerment Summit’ 18 under the theme “Women Economic Empowerment: Driving Force for Societal Change”

The Women’s Commissioner, NUGS - UCC Chapter, Ms. Faustina Maama, explained that the summit was aimed at sensitising young women on the need to identify the current economic trend in order to determine the right opportunities available. She noted that the programme was held to help enlighten and empower the female youth on the driving forces of the country’s economy. 

Chairman's Opening Remarks

The Dean, Centre for International Education (CIE), Prof. Rosemond Boohene, who chaired the summit that though empowerment could take different dimensions to help one cater for particular needs, due to the current unemployment situation in the country, it was prudent considering economic empowerment  in order to create  awareness, especially in young women. She urged  participants to take full advantage of the summit to prepare and equip themselves for the possible opportunities that await their services.

Director of CEGRAD

The Director, Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD), Dr. (Mrs.) Genevieve Adukpo, said if women were not empowered, it would be very difficult for them to “progress in life; take part in decision making and manage their own resources.” She added that the summit was the right transformation platform to sharpen the minds of young women to think of tapping opportunities. She also promised participants that CEGRAD was willing to support and protect the rights of women in the University.

The Head of Sales, Data Bank and Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Empowerment Consult (LEC), Albert Prempeh Kusi, noted that  University Education has been designed to “equip people for corporate Ghana; make people have a career plan and to gain employable skills.” He cautioned the female youth on “poor skill sets; poor planning after completion; poor networking/connection; lack of entrepreneurial skills and dependency syndrome.” He advised participants to “identifying one’s strength; attending seminars; identifying one’s passion and pursuing it; developing one’s dreams into realities; committing one’s endeavours into the hands of God and being willing to serve voluntarily”.

Identify Your Talent and Redirect Your Focus

The Deputy Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North Constituency, Hon. Barbara Asher Ayisi, encouraged the female youth to identify their talents and redirect their focus adding that “if they were not aware of their talents then they would lose focus”. She urged them to determine their strength and weakness in order to capitalise on the benefits of life ahead of them as women. Cautioning the female youth on the need to make a move in life, she asked them to identify their needs and to know their calling to empower themselves. She advised participants to develop good attitude towards work.  

The Director of Operations, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr. Kofi Arhin, cautioned participants that to be economically empowered, one ought to be “purpose driven; financially disciplined and determined; prepare for opportunities; willing to start small and be willing to sacrifice his/her time.” He added that it was better to think positively because that could only help entrepreneurs to provide solutions for the country’s economic problems. “The world is looking for people with solutions and not people with problems, therefore, women ought to change,” he said.

The National Youth Authority Representative, Mr. Awotunde Awosika, said it was in the interest of the government that every youth grew economically, therefore, participants should participate fully in the summit to be equipped and empowered to affect the national development.

In her concluding remarks , Prof. Boohene, charged the female youth to “set achievable goals and add value to themselves; and be smart enough to take advantage of every opportunity available. She warned them to “open their eyes; start small and think big to make yourselves economically empowered” – and never to misuse time in their life.             

The Women’s Commission, NUGS, UCC Charter presented of honour to the dignitaries, who facilitated the summit.