Ghana’s first female Chief of Staff Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare has encouraged women to position themselves for better opportunities, especially in the public sector as the world continues to experience major global economic shift.
Women, she said, make up more than half of the population, and observed that the public sector is an important employer in many developing countries for which reason equal participation in public administration is a key part of strengthening the relationship between the citizens and their governments.
According to her, closing the gender gaps especially in public life is a critical issue for countries seeking to foster inclusive growth and build trust in public institution.
She said, “Women in public service have traditionally occupied what are called “soft sectors”, like education and health.”
“However, I am pleased to see that women are breaking into previously unchartered territory as I am privileged and proud to have become the first female Chief of Staff of this great Republic.”
Mrs. Osei-Opare made the call in a keynote address she delivered at the 11th Conference of Leading Ladies Network in Accra on Thursday.
She noted that the indispensable role of women in nation building in all facets of the world’s economy can never be underestimated.
Mrs. Osei-Opare argued women remain critical in the development of every sector, hence the essence of the “Leading Ladies Network’ and applauded Madam Yawa Hansen-Quao for championing the group to impact the lives of women and girls and supporting their development as leaders.
The Network, she said, is uplifting the status of women and girls across Africa.
“The statistics show that most organizations fold up within the first five years of their establishment.”
“The fact that you have built an organization that continues to operate, is a big achievement. I encourage you and your team to keep building and impacting more lives,” she stated.
The Chief of Staff explained that she has survived in a male-dominated field because of grace and the motivation of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The President, she said, is a hands-on person, a worker, believes in possibilities and gives no room for barriers and over the period has offered his unflinching support and confidence in her work, which has made the journey smooth.
“Also, I have enjoyed the co-operation of the rank and file of the government appointees and Party Leadership and I have a team that is very supportive and dedicated.
“My achievement has so far been as a result of perseverance, determination, hard work and the zeal to succeed. I am sharing my personal story to let all know hard work pays,” she added.
Mrs. Osei-Opare averred that supporting women is a key priority for the government, which is evidenced in the role being played by President Akufo-Addo as the African Union’s Champion for gender advocacy and his appointment of capable women in his both first and second term administration.
She applauded others who are blazing their own trails in other sectors and celebrated the appointment of Dr. Ngozi Okomjo-Iweala as the first African and first female Director-General (DG) of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
This remarkable achievement, she said, raises the bar even higher for the next generation of women leaders.
