Wa, Oct. 21, GNA - Alhaji Alhassan Issahaku, Deputy Upper West Regional Coordinating Director, has observed that supporting women with micro financing was not a panacea to under-development and social deprivation in society. "Giving money to women is not an end to women's problems. Empowering them with skills and funds is the surest way to make them move forward," Alhaji Issahaku said.

He made the observation at a Skills Training Evaluation workshop for women leaders from Upper West, East and Northern Regions sponsored by the United States Embassy at Wa on Monday. Alhaji Issahaku pointed out that removal of all cultural barriers and improvement in the intellectual and capacity building of women through educating girls would be a positive measure for the socio-economic development of women.

He noted that the few Ghanaian women, who aspired to high academic laurels and holding public offices of trust, were still worried about how their efforts could permeate majority of women in the rural areas. Alhaji Issahaku said empowerment of women through the provision of employable skills, could enable them acquire sustainable and meaningful employment to contribute their quota to national development. However, he said this could be achieved when the intellectual, socio-cultural and political development of women were improved, and urged women to feel free to bring out issues that were hampering their overall development. Alhaji Issahaku encouraged women to remain steadfast and endeavour to break through the socio-cultural barriers, political exclusiveness, and stop the "give-up syndrome' which had been the major characteristic of some Ghanaian women.

"Things would not be easy but you need to cruise on to make things work", Alhaji Issahaku said, adding: "For the best interest of mankind, the development needs and aspirations of women must be addressed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Mrs Dehab Ghebreab, Cultural Affairs Officer, Public Affairs Section of the embassy, urged women to have "Do what you say you would do" spirit to change things for their benefit and the country. She gave the assurance that the US Government would provide support for women through training to acquire skills to create wealth for themselves and their families. Mrs Ghebreab announced that 26 students from Upper West Region would benefit from the Students Exchange Programme between Ghana and US this year.

She said the programme sought to inculcate in the students, appreciation of the different cultural practices and history of the two countries, and was optimistic the partnership would be beneficial and strengthened the bond of friendship between Ghana and the US. Mrs Cate Bob Milliar, Upper West Regional Director of Department of Women commended the embassy for helping to build the capacity of women in Northern Ghana who lagged behind their counterparts in Southern Ghana in poverty and wealth creation. She called for the training of more women, build their confidence levels to appreciable levels and support them to aspire to the top.