The ceremony, which took place in London, coincided with
Commonwealth Day, which fell on March 14, on the theme: “Women as
Agents of Change.”
Nana Apaade was among four other women from the Commonwealth who
were honoured for their roles in bringing socio-economic changes in
their countries.
This year’s Commonwealth Day marked the 100th anniversary of the
International Women’s Day and was a key milestone marking five years
of the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
It also marked the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality.
In a message to encourage Commonwealth countries to maximise the
impact of work on women empowerment, Dr Sylvia Anie-Akwetey, the
Ghanaian Director of the Social Transformation Programmes at the
Commonwealth Secretariat responsible for Education, Gender and Health,
described women’s empowerment as an important instrument needed to
transform Ghana’s socio-economic and political development.
Dr Anie-Akwetey, who was formerly with Ghana AIDS Commission
expressed joy about Nana Apaade Abam’s inclusion in the recipients of
the award and expressed the hope that the queen would initiate
programmes to promote the attainment of the MDGs and to reduce the
spread of HIV and AIDS.
She appealed to the countries of the Commonwealth to use gender
equality which was fundamental to enhance democracy and peace to
eliminate discrimination and violence against women and to enhance the
empowerment of marginalised groups.
Nana Apaade Abam expressed gratitude to Dr Anie-Akwetey and Queen
Elizabeth for the honour done her and gave the assurance that she
would work hard to champion the course of women and children.
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