The Awutu-Senya East Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has stepped up its community outreach efforts with a town hall meeting in Kasoa, designed to empower women to take active roles in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.
The engagement brought together about 90 women, including dressmakers, traders, hairdressers, physically challenged persons, and representatives of faith-based and community groups, under the Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) programme.
The PAIReD initiative — commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and co-financed by the European Union and Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) — is implemented by GIZ in collaboration with Ghana’s Ministry of Finance. It aims to strengthen citizens’ participation in governance and enhance their capacity to hold leaders accountable.
Women as Frontline Defenders of Integrity
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Mary Ankrah, the Municipal NCCE Director, said empowering women with knowledge of their civic rights and anti-corruption laws was essential for building communities that uphold justice and resist abuse of power.
“Women play vital roles as caregivers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. When they understand their rights and responsibilities, they become powerful change agents against corruption and social injustice,” she said.
Mrs. Ankrah added that women often bear the brunt of corruption, facing illegal levies, discrimination, and sexual harassment in their daily lives. “Strengthening their voices is key to creating a more equitable and accountable society,” she noted.
Voices from the Ground
During an open discussion, participants recounted personal experiences of extortion, sexual harassment in exchange for services, and systemic inequalities that hinder their economic and social progress. Many called for better enforcement of laws protecting women and more accessible channels for reporting abuse without fear of victimization.
Police, Legal Experts Join the Dialogue
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Doris Laryea, Coordinator of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) at the Central East Police Command, highlighted the deep link between corruption, gender inequality, and abuse.
“Women often face double jeopardy — limited access to resources and exposure to exploitation by those in authority. We must be courageous to report such acts. The law protects victims who speak up,” she urged.
She called on women to become patriotic citizens who uphold integrity and demand fairness in public and private life.
Legal practitioner Ms. Victoria Homiah, who delivered a session on Anti-Corruption Laws in Ghana, educated participants on key legal frameworks such as the Whistleblower’s Act, Right to Information Act, and Office of the Special Prosecutor Act.
“These laws are not abstract concepts. They are tools for empowerment,” she said. “When women understand and use them, they can challenge corruption, extortion, and discrimination that deny them access to opportunities and justice.”
A Call for National Commitment
Ms. Homiah stressed that corruption, defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, disproportionately affects women by restricting access to education, healthcare, and justice. She called for sustained civic education and community partnerships to strengthen accountability at all levels.
The NCCE’s initiative reflects a growing recognition that women are not just victims of corruption but key agents of change in the fight against it. Through programmes like PAIReD, women across Ghana are being equipped with the tools and confidence to resist exploitation, demand transparency, and shape a fairer democracy.
“When women are informed, empowered, and united, corruption has no hiding place,” Mrs. Ankrah concluded.
