Dr Melville George, Resident Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday said the economic empowerment of women could be accomplished when their multi-dimensional poverty related issues were addressed.

He said this required a drastic action plan to address the inequities and functional barriers, which denied women their rights and responsibilities, even though they are partners in development and wealth generation.

Dr George said this in a speech read for him at the commissioning of a 10-million cedis corn mill at Hodzo-Alavanyo in the Ho District. The occasion coincided with an environmental awareness creation workshop for women groups and opinion leaders, sponsored by the WHO.

The project, which is a WHO-government agreement pilot scheme dubbed: "Promoting Health Through Women's Functional Literacy and Inter-sectoral Action", is being implemented in 18 clusters of communities in Hodzo in the Ho District and four fishing villages in the Dangme East District.

The project aims at improving the health status of vulnerable women groups through functional literacy, sustainable income generating activities, health education, community mobilisation for environmental sanitation and other communal activities.

Dr George called on departments, agencies and District Assemblies whose activities impacted on the economic, health and development of women "to support to scaling up of such projects in their various localities.

He urged the people to perceive the project as their property and work to ensure its viability and sustainability to extend its lifespan.

Mr Issah Ayanaba, National Director of DCD said currently about 393 literacy learners including 299 women had enrolled for the classes.

He commended WHO for their support and urged them to establish micro-credit scheme for the women to enable them expand their businesses.

Mr Ayanaba said his Department would continue to make available its technical expertise and also monitor the progress being made by the communities.

He cautioned the people against the HIV/AIDS scourge, entreating them to live above reproach due to their location with the Republic of Togo.

Mr Samuel Attah, Assemblyman for the area appealed to the Ho District Assembly to provide the community with a modern place of convenience and pledged to procure a cassava grater in addition to the mill.