Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris says that women possess a huge capacity to equally participate in leadership roles.

This she said is key to maximizing global growth and opportunity.

“Women around the world must be able to fully participate in economic, political and social life, and they must be able to participate equally including in leadership roles,” she said on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

Addressing a crowd at the Black Stars Square in Accra, she opined that gender disparity is one critical issue affecting the world and must receive adequate attention.

“On the continent of Africa we know, women grow a majority of the food yet they are less likely to own the land they farm, they represent a majority of the frontline healthcare workers but face disparities in health outcomes,” she explained.

“Women are entrepreneurs, yet have limited access to capital and markets, they are peacemakers and bridge builders yet continue to be underrepresented at the tables where decisions are being made.”

The Vice President again mentioned that one of the important factors that greatly affect a women’s survival is economic empowerment.

According to her, when the economic life of a woman is elevated, it does not only impact her but her family as well.

“And when we lift up the economic status of a woman, let’s be clear that we lift up the economic status of her children, her family, her community, the entire economy benefits,” she emphasised.

Due to this, she assured Ghanaians that the US will work with its partners to close gender gaps and promote equality around the globe.

“And ultimately our belief is that the empowerment of women is rooted in the concept of freedom, not just freedom from violence but freedom to create one’s own future, a freedom we desire for all people,” Madam Harris indicated.

The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, touched down in Accra on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

She was in the company of her husband Douglas Emhoff and other top officials in the US government.

Madam Harris was met by Ghana’s Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at the Kotoka International Airport amid traditional drumming and cheers from some school pupils.

From Accra, her next location in Ghana will be Cape Coast in the Central region after which she will also visit Tanzania and Zambia.