Public asked to end cultural practices against women
A lecturer at the Department of Religion of the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr Nana Opare Kwakye, has entreated stakeholders, especially religious bodies, to empower women with the needed knowledge to prevent them from falling victim’s to awkward cultural practices because they are inimical to their development.
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According to him, some women, particularly those living in sub-Saharan Africa, were still exposed to rituals including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which involved the removal of some or all organs of reproduction, especially the external organs (genitalia).
He said such awkward cultural practices traumatised the victims, and nobody seemed to care. He, therefore, admonished policy makers to step up efforts to educate the public to desist from such practices.
Memorial lectures
Dr Kwakye made the statement at a lecture organised by the women’s wing of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) at Abokobi in the Ga East Municipality.
Dubbed, “Rev. Rose Akua Ampofo Memorial Lectures 2016,” the lecture was dedicated to the late Rev. Ampofo who served as a Director of the Presbyterian Women’s Centre (PWC), Abokobi.
It was on the theme: “Women, Voice and Space in the Church: The Role of the Presbyterian Women’s Centre”.
Rev. Ampofo had been credited for the establishment of the centre in 1992 with the aim of providing Ghanaian women the opportunity to acquire training, knowledge and relevant skills which would help them participate more effectively in the activities of the church and society.
Unjust society
Dr Kwakye said women played important roles in society, hence the need to empower them to continue to do so to the benefit of society.
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According to him, the social structure of the Ghanaian society was not responsive to the plight of women and must be changed, especially in providing leadership.
Dr Kwakye eulogised Rev. Ampofo for her role in empowering women during her stewardship at the centre.
“Auntie Rose was a great woman; a doer; an overcomer; a dreamer; someone who was very tough and spoke her mind fearlessly. I think we need to encourage more of our young ladies to be able to speak out for development,” he said.
Revolutionary
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the PCG, the Rt Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, described Rev. Ampofo as a revolutionist in promoting the will of God.
According to him, she dreamt and set up the centre and “I believe as a people we want to see more of such establishments in the country geared towards the empowerment of women”.
