Gender Ministry, Camfed sign MoU to promote gender equality and women empowerment

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) Ghana to commit both parties to work closely together towards a common goal of realizing gender equality and women empowerment.

The signing of the MoU is to among other things facilitate Ghana’s achievement of its vision in fulfilling Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls.

Addressing the media prior to signing the MoU, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur noted that the Government of Ghana has shown commitment to gender equality and women empowerment and this has resulted in the approval of the National Gender Policy in 2015.http://ghanapoliticsonline.com

The policy, she explained seeks to mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment concerns into the national development process in order to improve the social, legal, civic, political, economic and cultural conditions of the people of Ghana.

Gender Minister Nana Oye Lithur intimated that CAMFED has contributed to the fulfillment of national educational goals and has provided a sustainable model for community development.

“The support of Non-governmental Organizations (NGO) in advocating for gender parity in education, particularly at the community level, will enhance the achievement of national educational goals and objectives”

Mrs. Lithur noted that education is a key part of Government’s strategies to improve individuals’ well-being and societies’ economic and social development.

“Education is an essential means of empowering women with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to fully participate in the development process. Sustainable development is only possible when women and men enjoy equal opportunities to reach their potential”

Nana Oye Lithur was grateful to CAMFED Ghana for responding to government’s call for partnership with civil society in order to realize gender equality and women empowerment goals.

The Executive Director for CAMFED, Dolores Dickson explained that Camfed is an International NGO which focuses on girls’ education and young women’s empowerment and is currently working in 31 districts in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Central regions.

According to Mrs. Dolores Dickson, the organization last year launched its five-year strategic plan which places emphasis on the empowerment of young rural women. However, with the launch of the National Gender Policy, it has become important for Camfed to align its activities to the achievement of such a national vision, hence the decision to sign a MoU covering the next five-years.

She further reiterated that Camfed’s commitment is to align its activities and strategies to that of the Ministry and to ensure the sustainability of actions that promotes gender equality.

The signing of the MoU was witnessed by Chief Director of MoGCSP Kwesi Armo-Himbson, Acting Director of Social Protection, Richard Adjetey and Executive Support / Human Resource Manager for Camfed, Jacqueline Coffie.