Sunyani (B/A) May 4, GNA - Mrs. Akua Debrah, a retired educationist, has called for the government's immediate support to empower various women organizations towards poverty reduction in the country. "Empowering women will help Ghana to achieve its aim of reducing poverty as most women are talented and good stewards," she stated at the inauguration of the Good Ladies Association in Sunyani, at the weekend. She noted that the lack of independence of women was a key contributory factor towards the spread of many diseases in females because women resort to unsafe relationships and marriages to survive their economic hardships.

"Some women, particularly single parents, carry the heavy burden of feeding their children so supporting them in businesses or other economic activities will help improve their living standards," Mrs. Debrah said.

Mrs. Debrah, immediate past Brong Ahafo regional director of education, urged women to engage in self employment and to support each other to acquire more skills and experience to enhance their financial status. She advised them to promote programmes devoid of tribal sentiments and sustain the spirit of socialization for the progress of the association. Mrs. Dorcas Nana Owusuah, founder of the association, said the association aimed at supporting members, orphans, the sick and disabled children.

"We are preparing to adopt the children's ward at the regional hospital in Sunyani as part of our social responsibility to support the needy and to promote children's health," she added. Mrs. Owusuah said inadequate funds to finance activities was a major challenge confronting the association and appealed to the government, NGOs and other corporate bodies to assist in achieving their set targets.

Before the inaugural ceremony, the association donated items worth GH A2500, which included provisions and toys, to the children's ward at the regional hospital in Sunyani. 04 May 09