Wa, April 27, GNA - Madam Asibi Winifred Dy-Yakah, Deputy Upper West Regional Minister has urged women organisations to make unrelenting efforts to reposition the status and image of Ghanaian women in every development endeavour of the country.

She said despite the recognition of the important roles women play, much was still desired to see their active participation and representation in decision-making process

Madam Dy-Yakah was addressing members of the Federation of Muslim Women's Association of Ghana (FOMWAG) at its fourth Regional Annual Conference in Wa on Saturday.

She said the active participation of Ghanaian women in the political landscape was crucial and healthy for deepening democracy, as well as empowering them socially, economically and culturally to exert their influence on policies to advance the development of the country.

Madam Dy-Yakah urged FOMWAG to take the challenge of initiating educational programmes that would bring about real empowerment of women and their children.

She advised the association to help educate women to reduce expenditure on ceremonies and funerals and to channel more resources into instituting scholarship schemes for brilliant but needy girls in their communities.

Madam Dy-Yakah reminded the members of the association of the forthcoming general elections and urged them to engage themselves in voters' education and preaching against intolerance and actions that could inflame passions leading to chaos before, during and after the elections.

"Let us also educate our husbands and children not to allow politicians to use them negatively to achieve their selfish interest to the detriment of the peace that we are enjoying as a nation", Madam Dy-Yakah said.

The chief Imam of Wa Alhaji Muntari Tafa advised Ghanaians to make this year's elections peaceful to help raise the image and good name of the country.

On gender unity and equality, he said it was a cardinal principle of Islam but advised Muslim women to obey the Islamic tenets and principles pertaining to marriage in resolving problems between them and their husbands and not resort the law courts for redress.

Hajia Bintu Alhassan, Upper West Regional President of FOMWAG said the association had played an active role in the education of Muslim women that had helped brought about peace and stability in the region. The association has also carried out education on government policies and advocated against dehumanising cultural practices in the communities,

Hajia Alhassan called on men to appreciate and support the efforts of the association to move the development of the region forward.