General News of Wednesday, 12 June 2019
Source: Larry Gaisie
2019-06-12
Perpetual Osei Bonsu and Alice Torkornoo
Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA) Ghana Chapter, which is the local chapter of Women in Maritime Africa is collaborating with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Gender and Children and Transport to share best practices on how to sustainably harness the Volta Lake’s resources for economic empowerment.
Perpetual Osei Bonsu, the Legal Advisor to WIMA Ghana said as an empowerment group, WIMA Ghana is aligning itself with this year’s World Ocean’s Day to maximize the resources of the Volta Lake for Women’s empowerment.
She said WIMA Ghana believes, the Volta Lake is an essential resource not only to the Ghanaian economy but also to the people whose livelihood is dependent on it.
“We have been as far as the Volta Lake, which plays a pivotal role in the economy of this country and we also know that the Volta Lake is a source for livelihood for many women.”
Alice Torkornoo, Vice President of Women in Maritime, Ghana and a former General Manager for Business Development revealed that the Association’s Africa Network has an MOU with the Africa Union to forge the concept of the blue economy which is at the heart of the AU’s Africa Integrated maritime strategy which should be accomplished by the year 2050.
“The idea is to ensure that the use of ocean resources and resources of water bodies are maximized and because women are at the center of the exploitation and development of these resources,” she said.
She said there is also the need for professional women in the maritime sector to share ideas so as to move the industry forward and fight against poverty.
WIMA Ghana says it will be celebrating this year’s World Oceans Day at Akwamufie in the Asuogyaman district to improve the lives of women involved in the fishing industry along the Volta Lake.
