Former Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, has urged women to keep moving forward despite the challenges they face.

According to her, politics can be tough, and in Ghana, those who participate in political roles—whether at the district assembly, committee level, or parliament—often encounter abuse and derogatory treatment.

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Nonetheless, she emphasised that women must stay resilient and collaborate with men to ensure Ghana remains on a path of progress and development.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM show, she said, “If it is really the middle-income status that we want, we do not have a choice—irrespective of the insults, irrespective of the denigration. We must move forward, focus, and partner with men to lead and provide the solutions that will help the people of Ghana live meaningful lives, get jobs, and put three meals on the table.”

She said government, civil society, and traditional leaders need to work together to address the obstacles that prevent women from optimizing their talents and contributing their skills to Ghana’s development.

She noted that women should continue to forge ahead despite these challenges.

The former Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection pointed out that education plays a vital role in empowering women, and although progress has been made, much more still needs to be done.

Mrs Addo said that cultural and social environments also play a role in these challenges, noting that a traditional proverb, "it is the cock that crows to announce the dawn," symbolizes that women's public voices are often not accepted as normal, which contributes to the obstacles they face.

“That is why we ask the political parties to support women to give of themselves, and I know they would do that. In the NDC, that is being done a lot. You see a lot of mentoring; our political leaders, even at the national level, at all levels, partner with women and encourage women to take up branch positions. You see young women taking up key positions, and that is very welcome. We just have to move.”