Vice President calls for stronger role for queen mothers in advancing women’s rights

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has urged queen mothers to use their influence to strengthen women’s participation in community decision-making.

She said traditional leaders play an important role in advancing gender equality and creating opportunities for women to contribute to community development.

The Vice President made the call at the Yokama Ligbi (Ideal Woman Day) celebration, held as part of the 133rd Ngmayem Festival of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area in the Eastern Region.

She stressed the need to move beyond policy commitments and ensure that measures designed to empower women translate into tangible improvements in their lives.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang cited the Social Protection Act 2025, the Social Protection Regulations and the Affirmative Action Regulations 2026, launched earlier this month, as examples of efforts to strengthen support for vulnerable groups and promote equal opportunities.

She urged queen mothers to help ensure that women were not excluded from decisions affecting their families and communities.

The Vice President also highlighted the proposed Women Development Bank, which is expected to improve access to finance for women who face difficulties securing loans from traditional financial institutions.

She said women traders and farmers often struggled to obtain credit because they lacked the collateral or financial records required by lenders.

Improving access to finance, she said, would help women expand their businesses and contribute more effectively to Ghana’s economic development.

On education, Professor Opoku-Agyemang said the Free Senior High School programme was helping to remove barriers that prevented girls from accessing secondary education.

She, however, emphasised that families, schools, traditional authorities and communities must work together to guide young people and prepare them for the future.

The Vice President also encouraged young people to remain curious, question existing assumptions and be willing to learn and reconsider their views.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang was honoured during the celebration and expressed appreciation to the chiefs, queen mothers, elders and people of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area for the recognition.

Yokama Ligbi, meaning Ideal Woman Day, is an annual feature of the Ngmayem Festival that celebrates Krobo women who have distinguished themselves through professional achievements, character and contributions to culture and community development.

The initiative was introduced in 2003 by the Paramount Chief of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, Nene Sakite II, five years after his enstoolment as Konor.

Traditionally held on the third day of the week-long festival, the celebration features traditional attire and performances of the Klama dance, highlighting the cultural heritage of the Krobo people.