The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in collaboration with the Elsie Initiative for women in Peace Operations, Government of Canada and the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre observed the International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March, 2024.

The celebration under the theme, ‘Advancing Ghana Armed Forces Commitment to Inclusiveness’ started with a health walk through some principal streets within Burma Camp through to La Wireless Cluster of Schools.

The Acting Gender Policy Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Group Captain Theodora Adjoa Agornyo in her welcome remarks noted that GAF was advancing its commitment inclusively hence the move to include its neighbours in this year’s celebration.

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah, commended all soldiers for their performance during the 67^th Independence Day anniversary.

Lt Gen Oppong-Peprah commended the Elsie Initiative and Government of Canada for the commitment to the course of gender mainstreaming in GAF and the infrastructural support to some of the training schools especially in Daboya and Bundanse Training Camp.

He also acknowledged the role played by the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre, the implementing partner for Elsie Initiative and GAF gender mainstreaming effort. He urged all gathered to remember to exercise to keep healthy as health was wealth and wished all women particularly GAF women a happy International Women’s Day.

The Political Counsellor, Canada High Commission, Grace Lee was with much pleasure for the invitation to celebrate the day with GAF. On behalf of the Canada High Commission, Madam Grace Lee stated that Canada was proud to collaborate with GAF and the Elsie Initiative. She said GAF was setting good example in putting women in leadership roles and UN Peacekeeping Operations.

As part of the celebration, personnel from the 37 Military Hospital Public Health Division, educated school children from La Wireless Cluster of Schools in the La Dadekotopon Municipality on reproduction, age and menstrual hygiene and the food to eat when menstruating.