Oforikrom: The Oforikrom Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has engaged 50 women from across the municipality to deepen their understanding of rule of law and empower them to play active roles in the fight against corruption.
According to Ghana News Agency, the forum was part of the Commission’s ongoing civic education project, themed ‘Civic Engagement on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption’. The initiative aims to educate women on their civic rights and responsibilities while equipping them to identify, resist, and speak out against corrupt practices that undermine their livelihoods.
Ms. Rosina Owoo, the Oforikrom Municipal Director of the NCCE, highlighted the critical role women play in national development through their reproductive, domestic, and economic contributions. She emphasized that while the 1992 Constitution recognises the special needs of women, it also reminds participants that rights come with corresponding responsibilities.
She urged women to faithfully perform their civic duties, such as paying taxes, which help build essential social amenities like schools, hospitals, and roads. Furthermore, Ms. Owoo encouraged women to be law-abiding, report crimes, and promote nationalism by supporting each other. She called on participants to be responsible custodians of public property and to prioritize good environmental practices, noting the link between environmental cleanliness and public health.
Mr. Samuel Appiah, a resource person from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), led discussions on women’s rights, access to justice, the Whistleblowers Act, and forms of corruption. He emphasized that women are entitled to universal and special rights, including economic, political, educational, and reproductive rights, and noted that barriers such as ignorance, limited education, and gender inequality often make women more vulnerable to corruption.
Mr. Appiah urged participants to familiarize themselves with the law and their rights to better defend against exploitation. He explained various forms of corruption, such as sextortion, extortion, bribery, and embezzlement, and cautioned women to be vigilant in their interactions. On access to justice, he reiterated that all citizens, regardless of gender, are entitled to fair and equal treatment before the law and encouraged women to utilize institutions like CHRAJ and the Legal Aid Commission for free legal support.