FOMWAG CONFERENCE URGE MEMBERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO GHANA’S DEVT

The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Ghana (FOMWAG) has called on members to contribute their quotas to the socio-economic development of the country.

At its 16th Biennial Conference in Tamale which brought together over one thousand Muslim Women from all parts of the country to deliberate on how to advance their course, speaker after speaker urged participants to respect the doctrines of Islam and also try to educate themselves in order to fit well into society.

The three-day conference was also used as a platform to sensitize the Muslim Women on some health issues including HIV/AIDS, Cervical cancer and obstetric fistula.

National President of FOMWAG, Dr Rabiatu Ammah pledged support of the Federation towards the impending 2010 Population and Housing Census which falls on September, 26^th.

According to her, the census is an important national exercise since it produces reliable data on the current status of women and children in the country so as to determine the pace of development.

Dr. Rabiatu said data was needed to design development programmes that would address the challenges facing women and children, such as maternal and child mortality, HIV/AIDS, poverty, lack of credit and poor representation in governance.

Dr Ammah again noted that Islam will support all efforts geared towards the empowerment of women.

She however entreated Muslim women to show interest in local governance and national politics to enable them impact positively on national policies.

Speaking on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, the Mayor of Tamale, Alhaji Haruna Friday urged the women to rise up to the modern challenge to liberate themselves from harassment and intimidations from their male counterparts.

The Mayor however pledged government’s commitment to give recognition to women in the country.