The first of the series of Seminars under the Empowered Woman Series Two held on the 12th of November 2020, at the Fiesta Royale Hotel, Accra, was a resounding success. The Theme for the Seminar was, “Women Against Violence in Elections – WAVE GHANA Three”. Mrs. Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, was the Special guest of honour. 

Mrs. Joana Opare, an International Consultant, was the Main Speaker. The Chairperson of the Opening Ceremony was Justice Jones Dotse, Justice of the Supreme Court; the Chairperson of the First Session was Dr. Beatrice Akua-Sakyiwaa, Gender Development and Resource Centre, GIMPA. Other speakers were; Rev. Mrs. Tina Tachie-Menson, Pastor at The Lord’s Garden Ministries, DSP Effia Tenge, Head of the Public Affairs Unit, Accra Regional Police Command 

Participants were drawn from among others; the Electoral Commission; the Ghana Armed Forces; the Ministries of: Education; Youth and Sports; Health; Gender, Children and Social Protection; Trade and Industry; Victims of War; the Judiciary; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Registrar-General’s Department; Relevant policy-making institutions and think tanks; the Ghana Police Service; Educational Institutions;  Political Parties, the National Commission on Civic Education; Women; the Private Sector, Religious Institutions; the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice; the Ghana Bar Association; Civil Society Organisations; and the Media. 

A Joint Communiqué was issued at the end of the Seminar. By this Communiqué, it was resolved among others that; the State should ensure that relevant stakeholders are well equipped the Electoral Commission should plan effectively in advance for elections by, among others, making all polling stations accessible; the Police should create an environment for the citizenry to promptly report suspicious activities during elections; the Media should report only accurate and factual information; women should let their voices be heard by becoming peace ambassadors in their communities; All Ghanaians remain tolerant, vigilant and refrain from engaging or inciting violence; Stakeholders should regularly undertake public education and sensitisation programmes to engender peaceful election.