International Women’s Day Marked in Ghana with Awards Ceremony · Global Voices
Mac-Jordan

Every year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.
Ghana and her women were not left out of this important day. A series of events took place which lead to bloggers and civil society organizations in Ghana express their opinions/comments about them online.
The Ghanaian Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs mandated that the Day should be commemorated with the Ghana Women of Excellence Awards Scheme which saw the First Lady Ernestina Naadu Mills been the Guest of Honour.
The theme of the Awards Scheme was “Empowering the Ghanaian Woman for National Development”. The Award Scheme aims at motivating Ghanaian women to strive for excellence in their various walks of life and to take their rightful place in the national development process. The scheme formed part of the celebration of International Women's Day and the 1st Awards ceremony was held at the Accra International Conference Centre yesterday, 8th March 2011.
Ato-Ulzen Appiah, author of “The Vim Views & Versions – Blogs of a MIghTy African” blog wrote a well detailed post about the ceremony which saw Dorothy Gordon, Director of Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT been honored for her role in ICT development in Ghana.
Dorothy K. Gordon receiving her ICT Award
Edward Amartey-Tagoe interviewed Farida Bedwei, the author of “Definition of a Miracle” as his International Women’s Day contribution article:
Farida got diagnosed with cerebral palsy and in a community where people suffering from this disease are routinely misunderstood and viewed as incapable of contributing meaningfully to the society; Edward decided to feature her by way of seeking answers to some questions from her.
This is part of the interview:
1. What has been your biggest dream?
My biggest dream as a writer is to win a Booker and a Pultzier. My biggest dream as a software engineer/ entrepreneur is to head the first Fortune 100 company in Ghana. My biggest dream as a Ghanaian woman with a disability is be able to change perceptions on disability in Ghana and Africa.
2. Would you describe yourself as a writer or as a programmer?
I would describe myself as a Software engineer with a natural flair for writing.
3. What is your book about and what motivated you to write it
The book is about contemporary Ghanaian society through the eyes of a disabled little girl. I wrote this book to change perceptions; perceptions about those of us in Ghana, Africa and other third world developing countries and, perceptions about persons with disabilities. We are much more than AIDS, Child-Soldiers, Hunger and Corruption and it is about time we made this known to all. It is time we told our own stories and changed the image the rest of the world has of our beautiful continent.
Below are tweets about International Women's Day:
Dorothy K Gordon. Is the only awardee in the ICT sector. Trail blazing is not easy. Congratulations. #Internationalwomensday via @nnenna
RT @nnenna: Mrs Affei-Dadzie was the first lady President of the Ghana Journalists Association #Internationalwomensday via @ArriannaMarie
Happy International Women's Day to all the special “ladies” in my life. By “special” I mean ALL you who support my dreams/aspirations… This is your day! Enjoy :) via @MacJordan
Shout outs to all the amazing superwomen out there! happy women's day! #internationalwomensday via @Xhumonne
54% of the Rwandan parliament is women!!! Next stop is the presidency! Empower women Empower a nation! #internationalwomensday #iwd via @BeautyOfRwanda
The first Ghanaian woman to qualify as a Computer Programmer. Founded Camelot. Elizabeth Joyce Villars #Ghana #internationalwomensday via @nnenna
Photo Credit: Nnenna Nwakanma