Former First Lady of Ghana comes to Thunderbird

Courtesy: Erika Amoako-Agyei

Her excellency, Dr. Mrs. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, former First Lady of the Republic of Ghana and an activist was here at Thunderbird on 19th of November 2013 to present on the topic, “Development, Politics and National Government: The Impact on African Women”. Besides being vice-chairperson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a political party, she is also Executive President of the 31st December Women’s Movement– a grassroots NGO that empowers women economically, politically, socially and culturally.

The Office of the President, Thunderbird for Good and the Africa Business Club welcomed the former first lady to Arizona. Her speech was strongly based on Dr. Kwegyir Aggrey’s quote – “If you educate a man, you educate an individual but if you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation”.

She voiced her opinion about assessing African countries beyond the GDP estimates, IMF, World Bank and other reports because they are usually an unfair reflection in the true state of development at the ‘grass roots’, where mostly women and children continue to be marginalized terribly.

Being considered as one of Africa’s most socially progressive and influential female politicians, she shared her views on how Political power should be sought to improve livelihood of the people which is not implemented in most African countries. Through her experience, she had been able to directly influence policies to address gender inequalities and she strongly advocates for strategies to improve the economic and intellectual power of women across all developing nations.

She also expressed her disappointment with the way current African governments are failing to prioritize education, especially the girl-children. She insisted t-birds and other local Arizona residents present in the gathering to incorporate these perspectives in their businesses and political collaborations while dealings with African states. She concluded the speech by saying that this world is set for more success when women are properly recognized for their potential.