Bimbilla: The Paramount Queenmother of the Bimbilla Traditional Area, Jou Ponaa Shefiha Yakubu, has expressed her support for the All Regional Queenmothers Association of Ghana's call for a mini-bus. This vehicle is intended to facilitate the movement of queenmothers across the country.
According to Ghana News Agency, Jou Ponaa Yakubu emphasized that the lack of a dedicated transport means is a significant challenge for queenmothers. These leaders frequently travel across Ghana's 16 regions to attend meetings, conduct advocacy programs, and engage in community outreach activities.
Jou Ponaa Yakubu highlighted that reliable transportation is crucial for fulfilling their responsibilities, which include promoting culture, peace, and the welfare of women and children. She stated, "For us to effectively carry out our mandate of promoting culture, peace and women's welfare, we need reliable transport. A branded mini-bus for the association will ease our movement and enhance our visibility."
She pointed out that queenmothers often have to rely on commercial vehicles. This option is not only expensive but also time-consuming and sometimes unsafe, particularly when traveling to remote communities. Transportation challenges have occasionally led to delays and reduced participation in important events and programs, where the presence and contributions of queenmothers are critical.
Jou Ponaa Yakubu called on the Government, corporate institutions, and philanthropic organizations to support the association's request. She stressed that such assistance would strengthen traditional women leadership and complement government efforts at grassroots development.
Nana Otubea II, President of the All Regional Queenmothers Association and Paramount Queenmother of the Nkonya Traditional Area, earlier made a similar appeal. She noted that a mini-bus would enable members to respond promptly and efficiently to engagements with state institutions and development partners.
The association provides a platform for advocacy in areas such as gender equality, cultural preservation, and social development. Members believe that improved mobility would enhance their outreach activities and responsiveness to community needs.