Accra, April 4, GNA - Commonwealth Hall of the University of Ghana on Monday launched its 53rd Hall Week celebrations with a focus on promoting women empowerment and development. The week-long celebration, which will be under the theme, 93Promoting Affirmative Action; The Case of Women Empowerment", is the first time the all male hall of the premier University has devoted a week to champion the cause of women. Briefing the press in Accra, Mr William N.A. Tackie-Yarboi, President of the Commonwealth Hall, popularly called Vandals, said women had been championing their own agenda of empowerment whilst the men went about their own business. "We need to see men championing this agenda and the more men get on board, the greater the impact of change since men are the head of families, which constitute the basic unit of organisation in every society." He noted that women needed to be empowered and in all spheres of life so they could contribute their quota in transforming their lives, that of their men and children as well as the world as a whole. "An empowered woman becomes well trained, well educated and nurtured= , and strategically positioned to contribute her fullest quota towards the happiness and survival of her family, nation building and to humanity." Mr Tackie-Yarboi said it was necessary that society recognised the crucial role played by women in forging a formidable force at a time when global crises were on an 93astronomical ascendancy". He condemned the indecent act that took place at the Mensah Sarbah Hal= l of the University last Tuesday where a lady alleged to have stolen a laptop was stripped naked and sexually molested and beaten mercilessly. Mr Tackie-Yarboi described the act as 93a dehumanising incident" an= d called on the security bodies to beef up their mechanisms and measures to avert such incidents. "We pray that the appropriate institutions will make sure that justi= ce is served and the culprits are brought to book."

He also warned those who went about the University Campus stealing items to stop it saying 93such acts impede nation building and put them in danger of being dealt with by the law".

Nana Oye Lithur, a human rights and women advocate, commended the Vandals for adopting the affirmative action and adding their voice to the empowerment of women. She encouraged them to continue with the fight until the goal was achieved and pledged her support in all their activities on women. Nana Akua Kyera II, Queen mother of Aburi Nakyi, pledged queen mothers= ' support to the Vandals in promoting affirmative action and fighting women empowerment. The Women Commissioners of the Ghana National Union of Polytechnics Students, Ms Nancy Dery and the National Union of Ghana Students, Ms Eunice Yorgri, commended the Vandals for their initiative and pledged their suppor= t as they embark on the fight for women empowerment. Mrs Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, National Coordinator of the National Youth Authority, expressed the need to have a reasonable representation of women in politics and urged the Vandals to encourage the tertiary students to also consider such positions.

Hajia Boya Gakiba, Deputy Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, commended the Vandals for adding their voice to affirmative action and pledged the Ministry's support for their activities. The week long activities will include the launch of a gender network; holding of entrepreneurial workshop on curriculum and labour; sports with women; visit to St Mary's and Accra Girls High Schools; time with the Alumni; health seminar with emphasis on cholera and cooking competition.