The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, urged RUWA-Ghana LBG to encourage grassroots women in the Northern and Upper West Regions to engage in what he called a “politics of options.” He made the call on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, during a meeting with RUWA-Ghana’s Board of Trustees at the Sir Emmanuel Charles Quist Conference Hall in Parliament House.
Bagbin warned against allowing political differences to breed hatred and division among women. He commended RUWA-Ghana for supporting women’s economic empowerment and political participation, citing the organisation’s role in backing three women elected in the 2019 District Assembly elections.
“Women are agents of development,” Bagbin said. He pointed to their work in household management, childcare, agriculture, and community development. He noted that women in rural communities often carry heavy domestic and economic burdens, limiting their chances to take part in public discourse. As an example of practical support, he mentioned RUWA-Ghana’s provision of grinding mills to reduce women’s workload.
The Speaker urged RUWA-Ghana to educate women to judge political leaders by their performance and contributions to their communities rather than party loyalty. He encouraged collaboration with religious leaders, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders to build women’s confidence and leadership skills.
“Education is not only the formal one; the informal one is also important,” Bagbin said, stressing the value of community education and partnerships in changing attitudes towards women’s leadership.
He advised RUWA-Ghana to build on its existing achievements, identify communities where targeted interventions could have an impact, and expand partnerships. Bagbin expressed readiness to facilitate further engagement with Parliament and asked the organisation to provide details about the communities and constituencies they plan to target.
The meeting followed a presentation by RUWA-Ghana’s Executive Director, Masud Aziz Rauf, titled “Empowering Women Economically and Politically: Lessons from Community-Level Action and Opportunities for National Impact.” Rauf disclosed that RUWA-Ghana had supported 54 Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), reaching 1,350 women across six districts and helping more than 200 businesses in the Northern and Upper West Regions.
These savings groups provide women with access to small loans, help them grow their businesses, and build confidence, leadership skills, and collective action, Rauf said.
He described the organisation’s 2019 District Assembly elections campaign, which targeted 30 women. Twenty-one filed to contest, and three were elected. “The national figure in 2019 was 229. So out of that 229, we contributed three from our campaign,” Rauf said.
RUWA-Ghana proposed a new non-partisan initiative ahead of the 2027 District Assembly elections to identify, train, and mentor more women, strengthen community support, and encourage qualified women to contest. The organisation seeks collaboration with Parliament and other stakeholders to promote civic education, public awareness, and women’s representation in local governance.
On behalf of RUWA-Ghana’s Board of Trustees, Chairperson Dr Sylvia Josephine Anie thanked Bagbin for his insights and appealed for support in expanding women’s empowerment programmes. She requested guidance in identifying potential partners for their fundraising efforts.
Bagbin assured the delegation: “You will definitely hear from us.”
Other members of the RUWA-Ghana delegation included Alhaji Salifu Abdul-Rahaman, former Editor of the Ghanaian Times and Board Member; Madam Issah Fuseina, Secretary to the Board of Trustees; Kwabena Ahudey Sr., supporting staff; and Hudu Hafiz, Media and Communications Officer.
The Speaker was accompanied by Mr Inusah Mohammed, Assistant Deputy Clerk, Speakership, Leadership and Member Service; Prof. Turosong Damasus, Executive Secretary to the Speaker; and Col. Francis Anemana (Rtd.), Aide to the Speaker – Special Duties.
RUWA-Ghana LBG has operated for more than two decades in women’s economic empowerment, gender equality, governance, community mobilisation, and advocacy. The organisation remains focused on promoting women’s economic independence, inclusive governance, and social justice.
According to Joy Online.
