North West: Regional Assembly offers sewing, marking machines to women empowerment centres.

The beneficiary women empowerment centres include; Wum in Menhcum Division, Kumbo in Bui Division, Santa in Mezam Division and Widikum Momo Division.

A ceremony to hand over the machines to the representatives of the various centres held at the auditorium of the North West Regional Assembly on Tuesday March 5.

The Commissioner for Economic Development, Hon Ghenjung Awunti, who represented the President of the North West Regional Assembly during event, said the donation marks a significant milestone in their journey towards investing in women, accelerating progress.

To Hon Ghenjung, the Regional Assembly recognises the pivotal role that women play in the socio economic growth of the society, and so it as an imperative to provide them with the necessary resources to strive and excel. 

“…empowerment is not merely a moral imperative; it is also a strategic imperative for the advancement of the Region. When women are empowered, they become agents of change, driving innovation, fostering economic growth, and building resilient communities,” he said.

He further reiterated that the women empowerment centres that were selected to benefit from the subvention, will serve as beacons of hope and opportunity for countless communities.

He said the about one million women in the North West Region need to have access to education, vocational training, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial skills.

“…by investing in these centers, we are investing in the future of the Region where every woman has the opportunity to realize her full potential and contribute meaningfully to the development of the society,” he said.

He concluded by thanking the heads of the various empowerment centres for the work they have been doing under very difficult conditions.

On her part, the representative of the Commissioner for Health and Social Development, Dr Yaa Sakah Lydia, said that the equipment handed to the centers will help in skill building, leading to entrepreneurship and leadership development.

“...today’s allocation of subvention is not just about the things offered, it is a testament of our unwavering support to gender equality, and women’s empowerment…they can transform not only their lives but also the lives of their families, communities and the entire region,” she said.

Dr Yaa Sakah adds that with the equipment offered, the empowerment centers will be able to reach out to more women and make a greater impact at the level of the respective communities.

Beneficiaries thankful

Charles Tegha, who sat in for the Mayor of Wum Council, said they are thankful the Regional Assembly for the machines, promising they will be put to good use.

“We promise that these machines will be put into good use and our women and girls will live a better life by learning the skills and improving upon their well-being and families,” Tegha said.

On her part, the head of the Santa empowerment centre, Rev Nying Rosaline, said as a newly created centre, there has really been in need of sewing machines and materials.

“…there are three departments operational in Santa empowerment center; the catering, sewing, and craft department. We really needed the machines to be able to teach the women how to sew and we had just few. So I am really grateful for the offer given by the North West Regional Assembly,” she said.