Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama, says the physical and socio-economic development of women has proven to be a critical tool for sustainable development, ensuring world peace and the advancement of democracy. She said it is also an essential tool to achieving transparency and accountability in the governance of every nation. Hajia Mahama who made the assertion at a day’s seminar organized by the National Union of Ghana Students and the Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students in collaboration with the Ministry, noted that it was for that cause that women all over the world and especially, in Ghana needed to be empowered to take part in decision making processes. The seminar on the theme: ‘Women Empowerment the Role of The Ghanaian Woman in Leadership’ brought together women’s commissioners of the various tertiary institutions across the country to deliberate and chart a new cause in student’s politics and leadership. She said although there had been a minimal increase in the number of women at the various district, ministries, department and agencies, there is the need for increment since women formed about 53 percent of the country’s population.