Ekumfi Essuehyia (C/R), May 18, GNA - Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, President of the 31st December Movement has expressed joy that the movement had made some impact in national development.

She said when in 1982, the World Bank declared Ghana as a collapsed state she was moved to mobilise some women to form the movement to see how they could empower them to play meaningful roles in nation building, as well as managing the home to support their husbands

The former First Lady was speaking at the 28th anniversary celebration of the movement at Ekumfi Essuehyia in the Central Region on the theme: "= The Role of Women in National Development". She commended women for their support for the movement and urged the= m to invest in the education of their children.

The Deputy Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, Madam Boya Gari= ba Hawabu urged women to make their participation in politics to yield posit= ive dividend on the people. In a speech read on her behalf, Madam Hawabu pointed out that though=

organisations such as the 31st December Movement and Abantu for Developme= nt are ready to support women to pursue their political ambitions, they are not making the much needed impact.

She commended the movement for taking bold initiatives towards empowering women to attain gender equality.

Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Regional Minister also in a speech read on her behalf commended the movement for the good work it is doing especially fo= r women and children. She said if women had found voices in governance and other top place= s, it was because of the movement.

Nana Ama Amissah III, Queenmother of Mankessim appealed to women in Ghana to take Nana Agyeman Rawlings, as their role-model because of her bravery and the sacrifice she had been making to seek the welfare of wome= n. Madam Augustina Dadzie, Deputy, Convention Peoples Party Women's Organiser in a solidarity message urged women to disabuse the perception that women could not think for themselves, saying it was a ploy of men to=

make women play second fiddle at all times. Mr Samuel Nuamah Donkor, former Minister of Health said government w= as seeking the welfare of Ghanaians and not clamouring for praises.