Women Empowerment is Paramount

The Graduands

Rev. Bro. Bartholomew Kamara, Provincial Superior of the St. Augustine Province of the Hospitaller Brothers of the St John of God Congregation, has underscored the need to invest in women economic empowerment programme in Africa.

He said economic empowerment project aimed at helping empower women to become self-reliant in taking care of their children was key.

“In life, someone has to support you to get somewhere,” he observed, adding that empowering anyone was the best thing to do.

He made the remarks during the graduation of 13 women who had skill training under the Economic Empowerment Programme for Women instituted by the St. Augustine Province of Africa of the Hospitaller Brothers of the St. John of God at Amrahia, Accra.

Bro. Kamara (R) presenting a Certificate to one of the women.

To sustain the project, Bro. Kamara appealed to the Ministry of Health and the public to support the programme to reach out to more women and urged the beneficiaries to stay focus and persevere in order to make a difference in their own lives.

The women who were presented with certificates and materials to start up graduated after six-month of intensive training in bead making, bleach and liquid soap making as well as how to make key holders, bracelets, necklaces, and paper bags among others.

The Economic Empowerment Programme for Women, which is under the auspices of the Curia of the St. Augustine Province of the St. John of God Hospitaller Brothers, is an intervention to equip women to gain skills and empower them economically to able to cater for themselves and their children.

Some of the beneficiaries showcasing their wares.

According to Ms. Evelyn Agyemang, Nursing Manager of the Hospital, during the routine visit of the Public Health Nurses to surrounding communities under the catchment area of the Hospital, they observed the situation of many unemployed single mothers with malnourished children. 

Besides, most of the mothers who sought treatment at the Hospital were unable to foot the medical bills, thus burdening the facility.

To address this challenge, the Provincial Superior, the Curia and the St. John of God Hospital Management at Amrahia, introduced the Economic Empowerment Programme for Women to support women become self-reliant and to provide nutritious meals to their children.

Mrs. Marian Adeyemi, Project Officer of the programme who observed that efforts were underway to improve the programme to enable more women benefit from it, said the second phase would soon start.

Meanwhile, the Financial Controller of the St. Augustine Province, Mr. Valentine K. Bruku, who hinted of a possible replication of the programme in other seven countries of Africa, where the St. John of God operates, called on donors to support the programme for more women to benefit from it.

Madam Vivian Hodgson, Public Health Nurse at the Adentan Municipal Health Directorate, who represented the Municipal Health Director, commended the St. John of God for the project, geared towards empowering women.

A section of the beneficiaries. 

On behalf of the beneficiaries, Ms. Belinda Gyduaa, thanked the Provincial Superior of the Congregation, their teachers as well as the Hospital Management for thinking of them and opening their doors to them.

Likewise, Madam Gina Senanu, Class Prefect of the trainees, made a presentation to their teachers and thanked them for their patience and commitment to impart in their lives.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed delight about the training and promised to put what they have learned into good use.