The Purim African Youth Development Platform (PAYDP) has called for stronger investment in the education, leadership development and economic empowerment of women and girls to enable them overcome social barriers and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The call was made at the maiden “Image of a Woman” Conference organised by PAYDP in Accra, which brought together women leaders, development practitioners, faith leaders, government representatives, civil society organisations, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.
Held on the theme “Empowered to Influence, Equipped to Lead, Created to Impact,” the conference focused on key issues including women’s leadership, sexual and reproductive health, sexual and gender-based violence, economic empowerment, mentorship and social transformation.
The event was organised in partnership with the Glorious Abundant Ministries International (GAMI), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development (FORWARD UK), International Needs, PrimeCert and Adehyeɛ Mma.
The conference was inspired by The Image of a Woman, a book authored by Prophetess Aku Xornam Adzraku-Kevi, Executive Director of PAYDP and General Overseer of GAMI.
Prophetess Adzraku-Kevi said the initiative was designed to create a platform where stakeholders could engage in meaningful discussions on the challenges confronting women and girls while identifying practical ways to support their advancement.
She said women in Ghana continued to face stereotypes and patriarchal structures that limited their opportunities in some areas of society.
According to her, despite the challenges, women were increasingly breaking traditional barriers and needed sustained access to mentorship, skills development, education and platforms that would strengthen their confidence and leadership capabilities.
She encouraged women and girls to take advantage of available opportunities and refuse to allow social expectations to define their potential.
“You can make it, you can reach the top. There’s nothing that is too small for you,” she said.
Prophetess Adzraku-Kevi also advocated increased participation of women in governance, arguing that the growing representation of women in Parliament and the presence of a woman as Vice President should encourage Ghana to pursue greater gender inclusion in leadership.
She said the country should work towards creating conditions that could eventually make it possible for a woman to occupy the highest office of the land.
Leadership Beyond Positions
Ms Abigail Nti Tenewaah, a Consultant at FORWARD UK, urged women and girls to broaden their understanding of leadership, saying leadership was not necessarily defined by a formal position or title.
Speaking on the topic “We Are All Leaders,” she said leadership could be demonstrated through influence, responsibility, service and the ability to contribute to solving problems within communities.
She stressed the importance of involving people directly affected by social challenges in decision-making, noting that their lived experiences often provided valuable knowledge for developing effective solutions.
The conference also showcased the experiences of women and girls who had benefited from PAYDP’s interventions in education, mentorship, skills development, sexual health and livelihood support.
From Kayayoo to Professional Careers
One of the beneficiaries, Ms Salah Abudu, shared how financial difficulties forced her to relocate to Accra after senior high school in 2018, where she worked as a female head porter, commonly known as Kayayoo.
Through PAYDP, she received vocational skills training, legal literacy and education on gender-based issues.
The support later enabled her to enrol at the University of Ghana, where she completed studies in public health and nursing and is awaiting national service.
Another beneficiary, Zuleiha Alhassan from Funsi in the Upper West Region, also moved to Accra and worked as a Kayayoo after her family could not afford to support her education.
Through PAYDP’s partnership with UNFPA, she received training and guidance under an intervention aimed at ending child marriage.
She was subsequently supported to pursue nursing training at the Nalerigu Nursing Training College, where she has completed her studies.
Ms Elizabeth Ativi also recounted how she became pregnant at 18 and later experienced an abusive relationship.
PAYDP provided her with financial literacy, sexual health and livelihood training and supported her to undertake a four-year hairdressing programme.
After completing the programme in 2023, she began working as a hairdresser and said she hoped to establish her own salon and mentor other young women.
Prophetess Adzraku-Kevi said the experiences of the beneficiaries demonstrated how sustained investment in education, skills development, mentorship and economic opportunities could transform the lives of vulnerable women and girls.
She expressed appreciation to the organisation’s partners for their support, particularly GAMI, which contributed towards financing the conference.
The event also recognised veteran media personality Madam Rosemary Ardayfio for her contribution to journalism, media excellence and mentorship.
Established in 2007, PAYDP operates across Ghana’s 16 regions and focuses on empowering women, youth, widows, children and vulnerable communities through education, mentorship, entrepreneurship, livelihood support and leadership development.
