Female military personnel at a parade commemorating the International Women’s Day
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) yesterday marked the 2023 International Women’s Day celebration to commend the achievement and roles exhibited by women in the army.
The event took place at the Burma Camp in Accra under the theme, “Enhancing GAF’s Innovative Gender Equity Strides for an Inclusive Force”
Gender Policy Adviser to the Chief of the Defence Staff (GPA to CDS), Naval Captain Veronica Arhin, indicated that international women’s day highlight gender mainstream which basically requires the need for male and female to be involved in operational, administration and logistics activities, hence the need to sensitize personnel to embrace gender mainstream.
She noted that “in a male-dominated institution it is important to focus a little more on the female personnel to bring them at par to their male counterpart to ensure that no sex is marginalized or discriminated”.
Naval Capt. Arhin further commended the Military High command for the expansion of infrastructure facilities for female personnel and the increasing recruitment of female personnel and deployment in the army.
Chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Nicholas Peter Andoh, on his part, averred that the Ghana Armed Forces over the years have elevated hardworking female personnel in other to create a fair and equitable working environment.
Maj. Gen. Andoh applauded the support of the Elsie Initiative for undertaking many projects including a media campaign to engage potential female recruits and cadets, and the construction of a 300-bed capacity for female recruits at the army recruiting training at Shai Hills and Daboya training camp.
“GAF through the bilateral technical assistance and training partnership with Canada is developing comprehensive gender training policies for all training schools within the services to sensitize personnel in gender mainstreaming” he revealed.
Canadian High Commissioner, Martine Moreau, said her outfit is committed to championing gender equality in all aspects of society which includes female personnel at the army command.
“This commitment is why we launch the Elsie initiatives to help increase the meaningful participation of women in UN peace operations,” she said
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke