Naa Tsoolo Kakalor I, Right-Wing Paramount Queen for Ngleshie Alata-Jamestown has reiterated the need for sustained investment in women empowerment, mental health and maternal care for national development.
She said empowering women had a multiplier effect on families and communities, contributing to improved livelihoods and social development.
Naa Tsoolo Kakalor I, who is also the CEO of the Green Butterfly NPO was speaking following a high-level visit to Jamestown by the Madam Berenice Owen-Jones, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana.
The visit commenced at the Adanse Stool House in Jamestown, where Naa Tsoolo Kakalor I leads skills training and community development initiatives aimed at empowering women and the youth.
It formed part of efforts to assess community needs and strengthen partnerships between local leadership and international stakeholders in promoting development, maternal health and mental wellness.
The delegation later visited the Jamestown Maternity Home to assess the state of the facility and explore support for Naa Tsoolo Kakalor I’s Mental Health Initiative, which focuses on vulnerable women in the community.
She said her organisation had, over the past 16 years, supported small-scale artisans, most of whom were women, through skills training and entrepreneurship programmes.
She highlighted initiatives such as soap-making, jewellery production, sewing and a clothing line, as well as plans to establish a Skills Training and Mental Wellness Centre in the Eastern Region.
She said the High Commissioner’s visit provided an opportunity to showcase the needs of the Jamestown community and deepen collaboration to expand ongoing interventions.
Madam Owen-Jones said maternal health and women’s empowerment remained key priorities under Australia’s Direct Aid Programme in Ghana.
She noted that her visit was to better understand the challenges facing communities, particularly at the maternity ward, where she observed both the dedication of staff and the need for additional equipment and improved antenatal care.
The High Commissioner expressed concern about child mortality rates and said it was important to strengthen support systems to improve outcomes for mothers and children.
She commended traditional leaders and community actors for their efforts and indicated that further discussions would be held to identify areas for targeted support.
Dr. Philomina Bonsu, Sub- Metro Director for Aseidu Keteke expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and beneficial to improving maternal healthcare delivery.
She said the facility, which had served the community for over 70 years, continued to face infrastructure and equipment challenges despite the commitment of its staff.
Dr Bonsu, who is also the Director of the Jamestown Maternity Home noted that the visit had provided an opportunity to highlight these challenges and would contribute to efforts to improve care for mothers and newborns.
He said such collaborations aligned with national efforts to strengthen primary healthcare and enhance service delivery across the country.
The visit underscored a shared commitment to advancing community development, improving maternal health services and promoting mental wellness in underserved communities.
GNA
