The U.S. Embassy in Ghana is commemorating International Women’s Day across Ghana, highlighting U.S. support for women and their essential role in Ghanaian life, culture, education, politics, and economy. 

In honour of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, the U.S. Embassy, Alliance Française Accra, and Goethe-Institute Ghana are hosting the Women in Motion Film Festival in Accra from March 8-17. 

The eight nights of films begins tonight (March 8) and will highlight themes including human rights, economic empowerment, motherhood, and women’s role in society and politics, as well as female social and political heroes. 

All films are free and open to the public after which there will be many feature panel discussions. 

Ghanaian-American filmmaker, U.S. Department of State Arts Envoy, and professor at Georgetown University (Washington, DC) Akosua Adoma Owusu will participate in the film festival and lead a filmmaker workshop at the University of Media, Arts, and Communication National Film and Television Institute with female film students March 9-10.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Ghana Mission Director Kimberly Rosen will speak at an International Women’s Day event focused on the growing role of women in international and cross-border trade in Ghana. 

Rosen will highlight USAID’s work to enable women to participate in cross-border trade, including training more than 300 women traders on the Integrated Customs Management System, which helps speed the processing of cross-border transactions.

In Tamale, Northern Region, USAID will host a mini-fair for female-led agribusinesses in the region, connecting them with information and resources.  As of February 2023, through USAID, the U.S. Government has facilitated nearly $193 million in financing for more than 25,000 agribusinesses in Ghana.

The American Corner Agbogba will host two U.S. Fulbright Scholars for a discussion on women, digital innovation, economic empowerment, and education with local entrepreneurs, activists, and high school students tomorrow.

Finally, as part of Flintlock 2023, U.S. Special Operations Command Africa’s multinational military training exercise, in Daboya, Savannah Region, SOCAF Civil Affairs and Medical personnel will partner with the Ghana Armed Forces, Boresah Royal Foundation, and Daboya District Executives to conduct a medical outreach event and a women’s peace and security event with the local community. 

The medical event will provide treatment to up to 2,000 local residents and deworming for 3,500 schoolchildren. 

The Women’s Conference will seek to empower local stakeholders to tackle challenges related to the unique needs of women in Ghanaian society. 

Both events serve to build relationships and trust between the armed forces and civilian communities while addressing civil vulnerabilities.