As part of this year’s Asogli Te Za (Yam Festival) and the 20th Anniversary celebration of the enthronement of the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, this year’s Asogli Women’s Day Celebration was held in the Cedi Auditorium on the Main Campus of University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) on October 3rd. The theme for the celebration was “Rethinking Gender Roles in Leadership, Education and Development in Ghana”.

UHAS Registrar, Ms. Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, in her welcome address, extended the University’s felicitation to His Royal Highness, Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, on the 20th anniversary of his enthronement: “UHAS is grateful for your enormous contribution towards its establishment and we are proud of the many accomplishments.”

The Registrar said, “The theme is apt for this year’s celebration because it resonates deeply and reminds us of the remarkable diversity, strength, and potential embodied by the women of our community.” She also applauded the queen mothers for their unwavering dedication to preserve the cultural heritage that serves as a source of inspiration to all. “Your commitment to promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality, is deeply appreciated.” 

The Guest Speaker, Dr. Daniella Delali Sedegah, Acting Dean of Students, University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) noted that in rethinking gender roles in Leadership, Education and Development in Ghana, “all the barriers that limit the potentials of individuals simply because of their gender, have to be eliminated,” adding that, “true leadership is about quality not chromosomes. Hence, let us break stereotypes and embrace diverse leadership where everyone has the opportunity to shine regardless of their gender.” 

Dr. Sedegah also noted that gender, leadership, education and development cannot be separated but rather, they are interconnected threads that form the fabric of an equitable society. She added that “gender equality is not just a fundamental human right and a noble goal of SDG 5, but a powerful force that breaks barriers and paves the way for a better world.” In order for women to contribute their quota to nation building, she challenged all and sundry, especially women, to encourage, empower and support women to take up leadership roles in businesses, politics and civil society.

An expert panel of ladies, moderated by Broadcast Journalist Ms. Tilda Akorlo, featured Mrs. Cecilia Fiaka, Founder and Director of Nneka Youth Foundation, Dr. Anita Fafa Dartey of the UHAS School of Nursing and Midwifery and Dr. Faith Agbozo of the Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, UHAS.

The President of Unity Queens, Ghana, Naana Kabukour Dagojo Dumaaley I, noted that in rethinking gender roles, the boy child should not be left out of the conversation. She also advised parents to eschew parental neglect and rather be responsible in discharging their roles and responsibilities as parents in the community.

Mrs. Maria Gwira, the Director of Public Affairs at UHAS, said in closing remarks, “We cannot wait for progress to be handed to us by someone before we know we are progressing,” but we must be “intentional about doing as much as we can by ourselves, for ourselves, and for the generations of women behind us. We must therefore have more women driving actionable processes that will lead to the change we desire by doing the actual leading, educating and developing,” she said.

In attendance were Asogli queen mothers, other invited queen mothers from the Unity Queens association, and women from all walks of life; management, faculty, staff and students of the UHAS community; and senior high school students from Ho municipality.