Concerns of women critical in government policies as RAFELA-Ghana is launched

RAFELA-GHANA, a network of global women campaign to promote gender equality and the economic empowerment of women in Africa has been launched in Tamale by the Minister of Local Government Hajia Alima Mahama.

President of the Ghana chapter of the Network Hajia Mariam Iddrisu said concerns of women are at the heart of local government policies and strategies.

She indicated that the network is committed to ensuring the participation of women in decision-making within government institutions, and strengthening women economic empowerment and the promotion of women leadership in local communities.

Speaking to journalists in Tamale during the historic launch of the Network in Ghana, the President explained that, RAFELA is the Gender Equality Committee of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG-A).

She revealed that the female Mayors of Africa who form the membership of RAFELA envisage as their campaign goals; Africa Cities free of street children, zero tolerance of gender base violence, an environment favorable to the economic empowerment of women and equal participation of women in political governance.

Hajia Mariam hinted that the RAFELA Ghana Network will work with likeminded organizations in the country in order to achieve the four main campaign goals. She tasked the representatives of the network in the 16 regions of Ghana to collaborate with nongovernmental organizations and civil society groups to implement RAFELA campaigns in the various regions.

”We are going to work closely with the office of the First Lady who has agreed to be the Patron of the network, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to see to the achievement of the four main campaigns of RAFELA-Ghana Chapter.”