Accra, Oct. 20, GNA - The Society of Ghana Women and Dental Practitioners (SGWDP), on Wednesday climaxed its Annual General Meeting by honouring three of its members for their meritorious service to the nation.

They are Prof. Efua Hesse, first female Director of Health at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Irene Agyapong, Greater Accra Regional Director of Health and Dr Cecelia Bensti, former Treasurer of the Ghana Medical Association and a fellow of the West Africa College of Physicians.

The occasion was also to elect new executives for the society which saw all the old executives being unanimously voted back into office for another two years.

They are Dr Mabel Aboah, President, Dr Augustina Badu-Pepprah, President elect who automatically succeeds the president, Dr Charlotte Gardiner, Secretary, Dr Luitguard Darkoh, Treasurer, Dr Birgit Adwoa Nunu-Panin, Assistant Treasurer, Dr Adoma Fokuo, Publicity Officer and Dr Awa Conteh, Deputy Publicity Officer.

Dr Mabel Aboah, Past President of SGWDP, extolled the role of women doctors to the socio economic development of the country and urged all women to let their voices be heard. She called on members to be committed to the activities of the society in order to make it a household name thereby making it possible for them to push for changes in issues that affected the wellbeing of women and children.

Dr Aboah cited the lack of funds for the programmes of the Society, poor attendance to both executive and general meetings and poor cohesion and support among the younger members as some of the challenges facing the society.

She mentioned the poor participation of members in the various activities and projects of the society and the lack of collaboration with other agencies as another challenge.

Dr Aboah called for the establishment of a more robust secretariat for a more professional day to day running of the activities of the Society.

She expressed her appreciation to the Rotary Club of Accra North for sponsoring its medical outreach at Christ Faith Foster Home at Frafraha in the Greater Accra Region.

She cited the organization of Mothers' Day Bazaar, fund raising ceremony, donations and health screening exercises as some of the activities undertaken during her first term in office. "We also published a health guide for other health officials, teachers, children and parents as well as other publications on the prevention and reduction of anaemia in women and children which was sponsored by the Zonta Club of Accra North", she said. Dr Aboah, on behalf of the newly elected executives, pledged to work hard for the good of the Society.