Ho, March 10, GNA - Colonel Cyril Necku (rtd), Deputy Volta Regional Minister, on Thursday underscored the importance of allowing Affirmative Action on the empowerment of women to reflect in all spheres of national endeavour.

He said that this would assist girls and women to develop their potentials to enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development. Col. Necku was speaking at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of International Women's Day in Ho, under the theme: 93Equal Access to Education, Training and Science and Technology: Pathway to Decent Work for Women".

He said education was the key to sustainable national development and advocated the creation of educational opportunities for women so that they could ascend to positions of trust and responsibility. "Access to education must not therefore be hindered to any section o= f our population including our women," he said. Col. Necku appealed to parents and teachers to encourage children, especially girls, to develop interest in Science, Mathematics and Technolog= y related subjects so that they could get decent jobs in future. He called for the abolition of cultural practices that militated against the development of girls and women and advised girls to have role models and 93push harder" in their endeavours. Ms Charity Calai, Volta Regional Coordinator of Girl Child Education, called for equal educational opportunities for both boys and girls towards national development.

She observed that though women out numbered men, women had fallen short in key decision making process and advised school girls to take the study of Science related subjects seriously. Ms Calai expressed hope that Science, Technology and Mathematics Education Clinics would sustain the interest of girls in education to help achieve gender parity.

Madam Lena Allai, Volta Regional Director of Department of Women, commended women for making positive impact on the economy. "We have actually progressed, all of us who work in the hot Sun in t= he market, under trees, farms and offices have come a long way helping build our nation and must be commended," she said. Madam Allai urged women to 93fight on" to enable them to have true representation in decision making. The event attracted basic and Senior High School children, women group= s and traditional rulers. Dr. Uma Sen, an Indian Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Volta Regional Hospital was honoured for her meritorious services to the region and Ghana. Madam Allai, who read a short citation in honour of Dr. Sen, described her as an inspiration to the generation and women.