Berekum (Brong Ahafo), 21 Jan '99, -

The Berekum District Chief Executive (DCE) Mrs Mary Boakye, has called on women to reject all traditionally assigned roles and practices that impinge on their welfare and take advantage of the government's women friendly policies to improve themselves.

"Women are never born to be second-rate citizens and it is important that we wake up from our slumber and avail ourselves the opportunities created by the government's affirmative action programme to improve on our educational and social standing."

Mrs Boakye was speaking at a one-day advocacy seminar on gender, population and family life education organised at Berekum by the 31st December Women's Movement for over 300 participants drawn from women's groups in the district.

She said the world is under-going rapid changes and women must begin to break away from certain traditional roles which have over the years subjugated them to the background.

She stressed the need for women to join groups and movements like the 31st December Women's Movement so that they could acquire employable skills to reduce their dependence on men..

Nana Nyarko Akoma Amado Ababio, queenmother of Kutire number Two, near Berekum, urged women to take their destiny into their own hands.

She said for women to improve upon their standards of living, they must pay serious attention to issues such as family planning, reproductive health, skills acquisition and formation and membership of progressive women support groups.