BE INTERESTED IN GOVERNANCE ...Chigabiatia urges women (PAGE 11)

The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs Agnes Chigabatia, has challenged Ghanaian women to make their voices heard particularly on issues on governance to influence, shape and determine the impact of decision that affect the lives of women.
“You must take keen interest in what is happening around you by actively participating in issues of national concern,” she said.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Upper East Regional Branch of Fire Service Ladies Association (FISLA) at Bolgatanga, she noted that women were generally marginalised, abused and impoverished and therefore advised women to develop the passion for leadership and advance the development of the nation.
Mrs Chigabatia said to ensure that equal opportunities existed for all gender groups in the country, the government had taken due cognisance of the hitherto male-dominated political area and consciously introduced appropriate interventions to ensure that women were deliberately taken on board to actively participate in the political and socio-economic development of the country.
FISLA is an association of female fire officers, with the main objective of organising and uniting all female officers under one umbrella, in order to promote a healthy relationship among them.
Mrs Chigabatia called on members of FISLA to collaborate with their male colleagues to promote the image of the Ghana National Fire Service.
The Upper East Regional Fire Officer, Mr Abu Johnson, asked members of FISLA to properly advise the public about the functions of the fire service and how they can contact the service in terms of fire outbreaks. They should also educate the public on fire safety measures in order to eliminate or bring to the minimum the possible causes of fires in the home and work places.
He also advised the executives to be fair and reasonable in their dealings with members without being biased.
The National President of the Fire Service Ladies Association, Mercy Nutsugah, challenged her colleagues, especially women to work diligently and tirelessly to boost the image of the Ghana National Fire Service.
The Regional President of FISLA, Hajia Lucy Mumuni, said the role of a fire woman had changed dramatically as they no longer only sat in the watch room to keep occurrences, receive fire calls and dispatch fire engines but they also join their male counterparts to fight fire.
“We the women have taken the mantle to work harder so that we can contribute more effectively to the socio-economic development of our nation by saving lives, properties and our vegetation as well”, Hajia Mumuni said.
Present at the event were service commanders of sister security services, and a former national chief fire officer, Mr Emmanuel Atinga who called on members of the association to remain committed to the objectives of the association.