NCCE, GIZ, EU, SECO and Partners Empower Women in Wassa Amenfi West to Promote Integrity and Accountability

The Wassa Amenfi West Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), led by the Municipal Director, Mr. Cornelius Ahiekpor, has organised a follow-up empowerment programme for 51 women in Asankrangwa to strengthen their role in promoting integrity, accountability and responsible citizenship.

Held at the Presbyterian Church in Asankrangwa, the engagement formed part of the project, “Civic Engagements on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption,” under the Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) programme. The programme is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance.

The session brought together women who had participated in an earlier civic education programme on the rule of law, corruption, accountability, civic responsibility, legal protection and mechanisms for reporting wrongdoing. The follow-up engagement assessed how participants had applied the knowledge acquired, clarified misconceptions and further strengthened their confidence to contribute meaningfully to the fight against corruption.

During the interactive session, participants shared practical experiences of applying lessons from the earlier engagement. Mrs. Zinab Seidu, a market woman, recounted how she resisted paying a bribe at a police station when she accompanied a friend to seek bail for a relative. Other participants indicated that the earlier programme had increased their awareness of civic responsibilities and reinforced the importance of honesty, fairness and accountability in their daily lives.

The Municipal Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Mr. Ebenezer Twum Ampofo, encouraged the women to speak out against unethical practices and make use of lawful reporting mechanisms. He cautioned against acting on rumours or taking matters into their own hands, urging participants to gather relevant information and use established channels to report suspected wrongdoing.

Mr. Ahiekpor stressed that civic education must go beyond awareness and translate into practical action. He highlighted the important influence women exercise within families and communities and encouraged them to educate their children and others on integrity, respect for the rule of law and responsible citizenship. Participants were also urged to demand transparency and accountability from individuals and institutions entrusted with public responsibilities.

The engagement ended with participants renewing their commitment to apply and share the knowledge acquired within their communities. Among the dignitaries present were the Municipal Information Officer, Madam Veronica Cobbinah, and the Municipal Physical Planning Officer, Madam Linda Asiedu, who expressed appreciation to the NCCE and its partners for the initiative.