The Christian Mothers Association (CMA), in collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, has successfully trained 20 women from each of the 20 archdioceses in Ghana on electoral processes, with a focus on “Women in Democratic Development.”
The last training session took place on October 3, 2024, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Ashaiman.
Executive Secretary of CMA, Mrs. Olivia Ansu Amponsah, emphasized the importance of this initiative in empowering women to actively participate in elections.
According to her, the training aimed to equip participants with knowledge about the electoral process and encourage their involvement in democratic development.
She emphasized that this program would go a long way to build the knowledge of women in the electoral processes and contribute significantly to the wellbeing of their communities and the country at large.
The workshop featured notable speakers, including Mr. Jerry Samuel Ankomah, the District Electoral Officer for Tema, who highlighted the persistent challenges women face in political representation.
According to him, women often encounter harassment and intimidation and lack the necessary resources to contest elections effectively.
“Women still hold fewer positions in decision-making roles; they face harassment, intimidation, and violence,” he stated.
Mr. Ankomah called for more efforts to achieve gender equality and empower women within democratic developments.
Mother Theresa Adai Marfo from Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church also expressed gratitude for the training’s success, noting that it provided essential information on electoral processes and observer roles.
She indicated that participants who engaged in various sessions that covered critical topics, including strategies for increasing women’s participation in elections and promoting peace within communities and this training has equipped her cognitively for this year’s elections.
Mother Marfo expressed her excitement about the training, emphasizing the importance of women’s participation in elections, stating, “Women have a soft heart that can calm situations when storms arise; they can promote peace in their homes, societies, and communities.”
“Let us all arise and strive to promote gender empowerment,” she urged.
She concluded by indicating the need for women to be encouraged to participate in nation-building, reinforcing the belief that their voices are vital for fostering peace and stability in society.
Faustina Sabrah, a participant, echoed these sentiments, stating that the training was invaluable for understanding electoral processes in Ghana.
“We consider this training a success as it provided us with vital information regarding electoral processes in Ghana,” she stated.
She expressed appreciation for the support from both CMA and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, underscoring the importance of such initiatives in fostering women’s active involvement in democracy.
Miss Sabrah extended gratitude to both CMA and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for their support.
