\\JuO NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND DEVELOPMENT GHANA
Annual Report 1975/76
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NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND DEVELOPMENT P.O. BOX M.53 ACCRA
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Introduction 3
4 Acknowledgement ...
Functions and Aim... 5
6 Organizational Structure .
Activities of the Council . 7
Targets 11
13 Activities in the Regions .
Research Programmes 20
Council's Recommendations 22.
Scholarships 24
Appendices 26 (3rdfromN.C.W.D.inauguraltheceremony.right),at INAUGURATION—AprilStateHeadAcheampong,ChairmanK.I.GeneralPicture1975:S.M.C.;theofshowsand (2ndleft)fromJusticeAnnieMrsFlorenceDrN.C.W.D.ChairmanJiagge,ChairmanDolphyne,Vicetheofand introduction
The National Council on Women and Development was established by the NRCD 322 on the 20th of February 1975. The Council was formally inaugurated on the 21st of April 1975 by the Head of State and Chairman of the NRC His Excellency Gen. I. K. Acheampong. In December 1974, the Head of State in a radio and television programme announced the Ghana Government's decision : (a) To participate in the celebration of the International Women's Year, 1975 and (b) To establish the necessary government machinery to assure the full inte¬ gration of women in national development. The need to a establish Government machinery for the advancement of women has since the 1960's been recognised and indeed consistently supported in resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and of the Economic and Social Council. U.N. Reso¬ lution (961 F XXXVD) for instance "Calls the attention of Member States of the U.N. to the value of appointing narional commissions on the Status of Women, composed of leading men and women with experience in government service, education, employment, community development and other aspects of public life, to develop plans and make recommendations for improving the position of women in their respective countries". In addition to these resolutions, various U.N. Conferences and Seminars have also supported the call to establish National Commissions on the Status of Women. At the Rabat Conference in 1971 on Education, Vocational Training and Work Opportunities for Girls and Women in African countries, it was recommended that the functions of such National Commissions should include:
(<) The examination and evaluation of the present contribution of women to the various sectors of development in the light of National need, and priorities. (;;) The study of specific areas where women's participation should be initiated and/or strengthened. (Hi) The development and promotion of action programmes to integrate women in all sectors of national development. (iv) Assisting governments in formulating requests for international technical assistance available through the United Nations System of organisations. (v) Working in partnership with government authorities at all levels and in close co-operation with non-governmental agencies, especially women's organisations. The programme for International Women's Year as approved by the Economic and Social Council Resolution of 1974 recommended among other things that such National Commissions should have the mandate "to review and recommend measures and priorities to ensure equality between men and women and the full integration of women in all sectors of National life". Ghana in 1974 co-sponsored the U.N. resolution calling on members stages, to establish, if they have not already done so, as a priority measure for International Women's Year, appropriate Government machinery to accelerate the integration of women in development and elimination of discrimination against women on grounds of sex. The Government of Ghana, convinced that such a body is necessary if women are to enjoy equal economic, social, political and cultural rights de facto with men, established the National Council on Women and Development. Composition of Council The Council, the first of its kind in Ghana, is composed of fifteen women and five men, selected on a country-wide basis to serve in their personal capacities. There are also ten Principal Secretaries representing the following Ministries: Education; Health; Labour, Social Welfare and Co-operatives; Finance; Economic Planning; Foreign Affairs; Agriculture; Information; Establishment Secretariat; and the Attorney General's De¬ partment.
'3 ucknowledgement
The National Council on Women and Development is grateful to the various agencies which helped it during the past year. Special mention should be made of USAID for showing interest in the Council's activities and for providing funds for most ofthe Council's research work. The Council is grateful to the USSR Women's Committee for the offer of two scholarships to Ghanaian women and for various gifts which are highly appreciated. Mention must also be made of the ECA for sending Dr M. Carr to do a survey and write a report on appropriate intermediate technology. Her report was instructive. The Council is again grateful to USAID for making the services of Dr W. F. Steel available to the Coun¬ cil. He assisted the Council with its Research Programme. The Technology Consultancy Centre, Kumasi, gave technical advice. To the centre and the numerous lecturers who helped us to programme our research activities and to the Ministries of Labour, Social Welfare and Co-operatives, Foreign Affairs and Agriculture and to the Banking institu¬ tions, the Council is indebted. The Council is particularly grateful to the Regional Commissioners and their staff in the Regional Administrations for their great help since the beginning of the workshops. They offered enthusiastic support in identifying viable ventures in their respective regions. The Council hopes to co-operate more closely in the future with other agencies like ECA, UNICEF, PPAG, IPPF, UNDP, FAO, the Churches, the Local Councils, Women's Organizations and other groups interested in the welfare and advancement of women. The members of the National Council on Women and Development have embraced the vision held out by the United Nations in initiating the idea, and the faith of the Ghana Government in ratifying and setting up the Council. Members' enthusiasm and commit¬ ment to the goal of Ghanaian women developed at par with the men, marching abreast in the exciting venture of Ghana's upliftment, have accounted for the mass of work which the Council has done, and reported in these pages, within one year of its existence. If the Council in the coming years can follow the clear directions that it has established within the one year of its life, and if its members can maintain the tempo of activities, we hope the U.N. and our Government will find justification and fulfilment in the goals they set themselves for the women of the world and of this country. The Council members take modest and just pride in successfully setting up the orga¬ nizational machinery at the National and Regional levels. The Council has established contact with the women and women's organizations in the country. The interest shown by the women in the Council, and their acceptance of the mission of the Council is, certainly, the foundation stone on which to mobilize women's contribution to national development and well-being, and enhancement of the conditions and status of women in Ghana. As the practical, economic projects being promoted by the Council demonstrate, the members of the Council firmly believe that the economic well-being of women, coupled with their equal enlightenment, is the bedrock for women's emancipation and dignity. While emphasizing the economic condition of women at the material time, the Council has also mapped out and is undertaking wide-ranging studies into the nature, the condition and the problems confronting women. On the strength of the findings of the research studies, far-reaching long-term solutions will be found.
4 functions und uim
The functions of the Council among other things are:
(ï) To advise Government generally on all matters relating to the full inte¬ gration of women in national development at all levels.
(«) To examine and evaluate the contribution of women in the economic, social and cultural fields, and so to advise Government as to the specific- areas where participation of women may be strengthened or initiated.
(iii) To study the effects of customary beliefs, prejudices and practices on advancement of women in the educational, political and economic fields and to report to government from time to time. (iv) To develop plans and proposals for the establishment of large-scale, non-formal education and training for the purpose of raising living stan¬ dards in the rural and urban communities and eradicating illiteracy.
(v) To serve as the official national body for co-operating, co-ordinating and liaising with national and international organisations on matters relating to the status of Women.
The Aim is to raise the standard of living in Ghana on a broad, national basis by bringing into the productive sector of the economy the unskilled, the majority of whom, unfortunately, are women, and to integrate women in the development process at all levels.
5 organisational structure
Immediately after its inauguration, the Council drew up its organisational structure. Seven specialised Committees were set up. These are the Committees on Education, Home, Employment, Women in Society, Legal, Projects and Steering. The latter is composed of the Chairman of each of the above six specialized Committees. The Committees operate at the National Level.
At the Regional level there are Regional Advisory Committees. (See Appendix II for composition and functions of the Committees.)
1. The National Secretariat:
The National Secretariat is the executive arm of the Council and its Committees. It is headed by the Executive Secretary, appointed by the Government. The Secretariat is divided into six administrative units:—
(a) Research 0b) Counselling (c) Information/Public Relations (d) Administration (e) Accounts (/) Technical -(See Appendix 111 for the functions of these units.)
2. Regional Secretariats
Each Region has a Secretariat. The staffing of each Regional Secretariat consists of a Secretary, Field Officers and other supporting staff. The Regional Secretariat can recom¬ mend to the Council the establishment of a task force of suitably qualified local personnel from the community carrying out specific projects. The Regional Secretariats are the frontline agents of the National Council on Women and Development. They are directly in touch with women and women's groups in their Regions. They also work with relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies and organisations concerned with the advancement of women. The Regional Secretariats provide the National Council with information relating to the welfare and advancement of women as well as feedback from women throughout the country. On the basis of such information the National Council on Women and Development formulates policies and programmes for execution in the Regions, and makes specific recommendations to government.
h activities of the national council
1. International Women's Year Programme 1975: In conformity with the United Nations resolutions which called on member states, governmental and non-governmental organisations to organise suitable activities to focus attention on women, the Council organised a number of activities in collaboration with the Committee for International Women's Year.
There were educational programmes on the theme and purpose of International Women's Year in all the Regions. The content of the programme of symposia and lectures consisted of subjects like:-—
(0 "Women, a vital force in nation building". (ii) "Participation of women in industry". (Hi) "Customs, traditions, and attitudes that impede the progress of women". (z'v) "Equal Rights for women, requirements for political, social and cultural equality". (v) "Women and National Development".
Publicity and fund-raising activities were also undertaken. There were Radio and TV Programmes on the theme for IWY. This sparked off various write-ups in the daily newspapers on the question of female-male relationship and equality of status. Paper breast-badges, gold-plated earings, brooches, necklaces and cloths bearing the IWY emblem were to sold raise funds in support of the programme.
Commemorative stamps showing the emblem of IWY were also sold. Rallies and similar activities were organised in the course of the year during which there were exchange of views on various issues relating to women. A social highlight in the activities under the programme was the "at home" organised on 8th March 1975 by Madam Faustina Acheampong, wife of the Head of State. A large gathering of women, drawn from various women's organisations in the Greater Accra Region attended the function. At a big rally at the end of IWY, Madam Faustina Acheam¬ pong called on women in Ghana to declare war on illiteracy.
2. Accra Seminar
In collaboration with the Committee on International Women's Year, the Council decided to introduce to the women of Ghana its members and the theme and objectives of IWY at a national seminar. The seminar was designed to involve women from a cross- section of the Ghanaian society. A questionnaire was sent to women's groups all over the country to stimulate group discussions based on issues, relevant in Ghana, pertaining to the theme of IWY—Equality, Development and Peace. Representatives to the seminar from all over the country came armed with the thinking of their groups. The seminar took place on June 7th and 8th at the Conference Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah Con¬ ference Centre. A total of 500 women turned up from all over Ghana to participate in the seminar. They sat together in language groups, each group a cross-section of society, to explore the various facets of the theme of the International Women's Year: "Equality, Develop¬ ment and Peace", as it affects lives in the rural areas and in the cities. The group reports were discussed at plenary sessions. The enthusiasm of the participants exceeded the expectations of the organisers of the seminar. Thus, time for discussion in the groups and at the plenary sessions had to be extended. At the plenary sessions, with the aid of simultaneous interpretation equipment the women were able to communicate with others speaking different languages, and this enhanced full participation in the discussions.
7 Arising from the group discussions were recommendations vital to the status and advancement of women in Ghana. The recommendations have come to be known as the "Accra Declaration." The relevance of these recommendations to the Central concern of the National Council are such as to justify their inclusion in full hereunder:
The Accra Declaration
The National Council on Women and Development, considering that the United Nations General Assembly set objectives for the celebration of 1975 International Women's Year to: (1) Promote equality between men and women; (2) Ensure full integration of women in the total development effort; (3) Recognise the importance of women's increasing contribution to the develop¬ ment of friendly relations and to the strengthening of world peace; Taking into account the discussions and pronouncements of Ghanaians of all walks of life at the National Seminar held on the 7th and 8th June, 1975, at the State House in Accra on the Theme of the International Women's Year—Equality, Develop¬ ment, Peace; Concerned about the low living standard in Ghana of the majority of women who are both illiterate and unskilled ; Concerned about the apparent inability of young women to utilize to the full, available opportunities for higher education, vocational training and training in modern agriculture; Recognising the limitations of the working tools used by women in agriculture, the lack of labour saving devices and the multiplicity and burden of their roles as citizens, mothers, home-makers and bread-winners ; Realizing the inequality in the status of men and women imposed by the cus¬ tomary polygamous marriage, the customary law of succession, especially in areas of matrilineal family system ; Concerned about the inhibitions created in women themselves by deep-rooted traditional attitudes and prejudices ; Appreciating the need for a concerted effort in educating public opinion on the eradication of customs, tradition, practices and attitudes which impede the exercise of equal rights of men and women ; Bearing in mind the great contributions to, and the potential of women in the social, political, economic and cultural life, the part they play in the family and, particularly, in the rearing of children ; Conscious of the difficulties created by tribal jealousies and animosities in achiev¬ ing the national aspiration of ONE NATION, ONE COUNTRY, ONE PEOPLE: Concerned and deeply aggrieved by the continued presence in Southern Africa of oppression of the majority by a small minority, and the ruthless suppression of the legitimate goals and national aspirations of the majority; Supporting the efforts of all liberation movements in Africa and the efforts of the United Nations for the Liberation of Rhodesia and Namibia and for the eradica¬ tion of Apartheid and oppression in South Africa; Convinced that the liberation of women all over the world will release a potential force in the cause of peace; Believing that liberated women all over the world will give each other moral support and mutual understanding in the fight against injustice created by unjust political, economic and social world order, and also against discrimination against human beings on the grounds of sex, race, colour, religion and political affiliations; Solemnly proclaims by this declaration:
8 1. That all appropriate measures be taken to inform women of their rights and responsibilities. That counselling services and free legal advice where necessary be made available to women.
2. That the minimum age for a marriage be fixed at 18 (eighteen) years for all marriages under: (1) the Marriage Ordinance; (2) the Marriage of Mohamedans Ordinance; and (3) under customary law ; and in particular that child-marriage be made a punishable offence by legislation. 3. That a system of phasing out of polygamous marriages be devised; and until the process is complete, all existing polygamous marriages should be registered.
4. That all appropriate measures be taken to ensure to spouses equal rights in relation to property on dissolution of a marriage either by divorce or by death. That decisions relating to the custody of children be taken only in the best interest of the child and both parents should contribute according to their means to the maintenance of children after divorce.
5. All appropriate measures should be taken to preserve the unit of the family which is the basis of society; and to this end, Government instituted or supported programmes and counselling services geared to minimize conflicts in marriage should be established and the Divorce Court be encouraged to take full advantage of such services.
6. That appropriate delay where one party expresses the desire for recon¬ ciliation should be built into the Divorce procedure to allow time for genuine efforts at reconciliation.
7. That educational programmes on personal relationships, marriage and family life including psycho-sexual development be integrated in all school curricula at appropriate levels and in all non-formal educational projects.
8. That country-wide programmes be mounted on nutrition and sanitation, maternal and child health and care, in a concerted effort to reduce infant and maternal mortality. 9. That adequate family planning facilities be made available and within easy reach.
10. That an all out effort be made to educate public opinion on the need to eradicate all customs, practices and traditional attitudes that are degrading to the status of women.
11. That education and training programmes at all levels, be mounted and geared to opportunities for employment/self employment and related economic roles of women. 12. That co-educational institutions provide equal admission and curricula facilities to both men and women.
13. That the provision of creches, day care centres and nurseries for the children of working mothers be increasingly included in the amenities provided by all employers.
14. That maternity benefits be a charge on social security and that all employers contribute whether or not they employ women.
9 15. That the provision of at least one hot meal a day for all low-income workers at subsidised rates be urged on all employers in view of the relationship between nutrition and high productivity. 16. That government-sponsored formal training for house-maids be instituted and their conditions of service be regularised. 17. That rural industries i.e. cottage and village industries be made an integral part of all national development plans and the provision of the basic rural infrastructure be expedited. 18. That integrated national development plans should give priority to the training of women and girls in improved methods of farming, marketing, purchasing, sales techniques, basic accounting and organisational methods. Appropriate credit facilities should be made available to and within easy reach of women in the rural areas. 19. That appropriate intermediate technology be used to replace the present cumbersome tools; and that the higher institutions of learning be called upon to devise tools and equipment to suit women. 20. That more qualified women be placed on all boards and policy-making bodies at all levels, in fair relation to the number of men.
21. That the Economic Commission for Africa be called upon to expedite plans for the formation of a Regional Council on Women and Development in Africa.
22. That the Organisation for African Unity be called upon to amend its Charter to establish a Council on Women and Development.
23. That the United Nations and all the citizens of the World be called upon to intensify the struggle against colonialism, racial oppression and economic strangulation of poorer nations in the interest of peace.
24. That the establishment of a new world economic order, monetary system and a just pattern of world trade be given priority if this earth boat is to be kept afloat. 25. That International Peace requires a co-operative effort in which every human race must play a part and that the inability of the hungry nations to make their full contribution is partly the cause of world instability. 26. That racial discrimination, political oppression, economic strangulation, cultural domination and all other forms of injustice do not create an atmosphere in which peace can flourish.
27. That the Liberation of women is meaningless unless it releases a dynamic force of women committed to work for peace.
10 targets of the council
The targets for action which were set by the Council for 1975-1977 are tabulated below:—
OBJECTIVES MEANS
(a) To achieve increase in literacy and i. The Council will support and encour¬ Civic Education in town and village. age the various agencies, governmen¬ tal and non-governmental, promoting adult education for women, especially in the villages and urban centres of stress. (b) Extension of technical and vocational ii. A survey of marketable skills required training and basic skills to women and by employers. As part of the survey: men in the industrial and agricultural to compile a directory of the training sectors. facilities available, and indicate areas where such training is necessary but where the necessary facilities are not yet available and to advise govern¬ ment accordingly. (c) Equal access at every level of educa¬ Hi. A survey on the reasons for the low tion especially primary school educa¬ enrolment of girls in schools and tion, and measures by which to institutions of higher education. Is it prevent school drop-outs. correct that parents prefer to send boys to school where means are limited? To find out reasons for the high drop out rate among girls in our educational Institutions and make recommendations accordingly. ( d) Increased employment opportunities iv. A survey of absenteeism ; comparative for women, reduction of unemploy¬ study of absenteeism between men ment and increased efforts to eliminate and women at all levels of employment. discrimination in terms and condi¬ Why employers prefer to employ men tions of employment. to women. Whether there are dis¬ parities in the conditions and terms of employment of women, and, if so, why? Whether it is correct that women in fact show lack of confidence in themselves; whether they lack initia¬ tive, drive and work discipline; and, if so, why? (e) The establishment and increase of v. A survey on the cheapest methods of the infrastructural services required in water supply in rural areas and both rural and urban areas. possible ways of financing them, and how to mobilise community involve¬ ment. (/) To encourage a greater participation vi. A survey to identify the number of women in policy-making positions of public policy-making bodies. A at the local, national and interna¬ comparative study of the number tional levels. of men and women on policy-making bodies and possible recommendation for increasing the number of women on those bodies. A list of women in various professions is being compiled.
11 OBJECTIVES MEANS
(g) Increased provision for comprehen¬ vzY. Surveys and recommendations to sive measures for health education and expedite action in these fields. services, sanitation, nutrition, family education planning and other welfare services. (A) Provision for full participation of viii Survey on customary law and tradi¬ women in the exercise of civic and tion in relation to marriage, divorce, economic rights pertaining to mar¬ widowhood and inheritance. Re¬ search on and recommendations for riage, citizenship and commerce. progressive steps towards a uniform system of marriage. (z) Recognition of the economic value of ix. Research on the economic value of women's work in the home in domes¬ women's contribution in the home, tic food production and marketing food production and marketing. voluntary activities not traditionally remunerated. (j) To direct formal non-formal and life¬ x. A programme of action to re-educate long education towards the re-evalua¬ public attitude on the image of man tion of the man and woman relation¬ and woman in order to ensure their full realisation as individuals in the ship in order to ensure their full realization as individuals in the family family and society. and in society. (k) The promotion of women's groups as xi. To promote women's participation an interim measure within worker's in trade unions and to promote organisations and educational eco¬ women's groups within workers orga¬ nomic and professional institutions. nisations and educational, economic and professional institutions, with the aim of building up and streng¬ thening self confidence in women. (/) The development of modern rural xii. This should be a long term project technology, cottage industry and time whose targets must be set by the and energy saving devices so as to Employment Committee. Establish¬ help reduce heavy work-load on ment of Workshops at the Regional and District levels. There should women (particularly those living in rural sectors and for the urban poor) however be a survey on the avail¬ and thus to facilitate the full partici¬ ability of local materials for the pation of women in community, production of marketable goods and national and international affairs. their use thereof in appropriate intermediate technology to introduce time and energy saving devices.
12 activities with communities in the regions
The Council was particularly interested in getting down to work among the women of Ghana in the various localities. While research exercises were being planned and exe¬ cuted, the findings of which would provide material for the far reaching long term objec¬ tives of the Council, it was decided to promote the well-being of women and to gather material and feedback on the basis of which possible recommendations to government could be made. In view of this, the Council planned various workshops for women. The main aim is to increase the earning capacity of women in the rural areas and to provide unskilled women with opportunities to acquire profitable skills and thereby improve the quality of life and the care they give to their families and their homes. The Council, being aware of the fact that a large number of our women in Ghana are heads of families and shoulder single-handed, responsibility for bringing up their children and the running of their homes, decided that priority should be given to efforts that would enhance the earning capacity of women in the hope that their children will be better fed, better clothed and better looked after. This will gradually bring about an improvement in the standard of living in the country as a whole. This practical approach to the tasks confronting the Council has had immediate impact on our womenfolk throughout the country. The workshops were aimed at counteracting the effects of the ever rising cost of living and diverting reliance on petty trade in imported commodities to other profitable employment. The imported commodities, because of balance of payment problems, are increasingly scarce and difficult to find, while other viable economic areas of activity are waiting to be explored and exploited. Accordingly, the Council organised a country-wide "crash programme" of workshops to revive old skills and also new ones teach to meet the demand for items such as soap, cooking oil, etc. which were in short supply. These workshops were also part of the Coun¬ cil's plans to help women's groups to develop village and cottage industries. The aims of the "crash programme" of workshops were to:— (/') Increase the earning capacities of women in rural areas, and to improve the quality of life for them and their families. (ii) Extend women's economic roles in co-operatives and small-scale industries in Ghana.
(Hi) Encourage the development of new co-operative skills, especially in areas where women play a major role. (z'v) Step up confidence of women in rural areas and thereby engender in them pride in whatever role they can and do play. (v) Encourage the use and creation of labour-saving devices and improved tools for small-scale acreage farming.
(vi) Motivate participants to establish small-scale industries in their areas. (vii) Build up relevant skills which have been found lacking among women in rural areas, and teach new skills. (viii) Explore the use of locally available raw materials in the production of market¬ able goods. (ix) Explore means of financing self-help development projects. Workshops have been organised in the following Regions, Eastern, Western, Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Northern, Volta and Greater Accra. The common features of these workshops were the teaching of skills such as extraction of oil from palm fruits and kernels, coconuts and groundnuts as well as soap-making and handicrafts. Detailled reports on the National and Regional Workshops are embodied in Appendix IV. An essential part of the workshop was the lectures on co-operatives, credit unions and bank facilities. more As and more women's groups decide to enter viable economic
13 ventures, help will be required to build up co-operatives on a sound basis. The visit of Council members to the Regions during the workshops served as a great encouragement to the women. It also enabled the Council to ascertain the needs of the women. The understanding and co-operation given to the Council by the Regional Commis¬ sioners was in a large measure responsible for the success of the workshops, as will be seen from the report on the follow-up activities. A number of viable small scale ventures have already been started and for the efficient administration of these small-scale, viable ventures, the Council has designed a strategy for the development of small-scale village and cottage industries, (see Appendix VI.)
5. Follow-up Activities
The Council did not only insist on receiving evaluation reports on the workshops and feedback from participants and others in each region, but also mounted follow-up action. This consisted of visits to the workshop centres by selected members of the Council. Miss Janet Asare and Mrs Esther Ocloo, Chairman and Technical Adviser of the Projects Committee, visited various centres where they inspected economic activities being under¬ taken by women, held discussions with them and gave them technical advice. The Projects Committee visited six out of the seven regions where workshops had been held to see what follow-up action has been taken and to give advice where neces¬ sary. The following are reports on activities in the regions.
The Northern Region Women in this region, with the help of the Regional Secretary of the National Coun¬ cil on Women and Development, have organised themselves into the National Council on Women and Development Multipurpose Co-operative. (NACWOD). This group of women took decisions on how to run their own co-operative, what to pay for registration, how much to save from profits of their various ventures and so on. Some of the activities of the co-operative are bread-making, preparation of other food items for sale, extraction of sheabutter, making of local cheese and soap, etc. At the moment, the women's co-operative has employed a full time Secretary and has already saved the handsome amount of CI7,000.00 after only a few months of its existence. The National Council on Women and Development's Northern Regional Secretary helps the groups by making the necessary contacts for them and explaining to them what they do not understand. The women themselves, although mainly illiterate, know what they want. They have been meeting and exchanging not only views and ideas but also skills. Those who have certain skills teach those who have not and together, they learn from one another. The Projects Committee was very impressed with the enthusiasm and business acumen of the women's co-operative. The Committee advised that the lady on National service attached to the Council should spend some time with the women's group producing food for sale, study their methods and advise them, from her background of food science, on what should be done to improve on the quality of the food produced and also on the techniques used to increase production. She is also to give some thought to improvement of the available equipment in use. For instance, the women who make sheabutter whip and cream with their hands, a simple wood-beater can achieve a better result and faster. Already the NACWOD Multipurpose Co-operative finds itself strong enough to enter into negotiations for the setting up of a co-operative shop in Tamale and also acqui¬ ring land for the building of a Common Service Centre for the use of the members of the co-operative. The Projects Committee held discussions with the Northern Regional Commissioner who suggested that the women's co-operative could start another viable project in carpet making since the raw materials were available in the region. The Projects Committee is studying this proposal. 2. Brong Ahafo Region The Projects Committee visited Techiman to gain first hand knowledge of the pro¬ posed Gari-making project. The Committee was impressed with the outcome of a meeting they held with the chiefs, queen-mothers and farmers (both men and women). Sugges¬ tions were made to the NCWD Regional Secretary on how to get the group working in more hygienic conditions. The gari-making project is an area in which cassava-grating machines and improved roasting pans and procedure can be introduced with great advantage. Women in this region can easily supply the whole country with gari, if they organise their co-operative on the same lines as the women in the Northern Region have done. The Projects Committee recommended that the Technology Consultancy Centre, at the University of Science and Technology, be approached to devise a simple tool for digging cassava from hard earth. At the request of the Projects Committee, the Regional Secretary of the National Council on Women and Development and her Advisory Committee invited women in cooked food production to meet the health officer and the treasurer of the District Council. This meeting was necessary because the Projects Committee was distressed at the un¬ hygienic conditions under which food was being cooked and served. The women "Chop- bar" owners pay the City Council CIO a month, but there was no provision of the necessary amenities such as running water and garbage collection pans, drains, etc. The Women discussed their problems with the officers of the City Council who in turn promised to provide the necessary amenities. The Regional Secretary will pursue this matter until the desirable hygienic conditions have been obtained. Cassava growing to feed the gari-making project is another viable activity this region is planning to undertake. The Chairman of the NCWD has requested the Commissioner for Agriculture to make available to women of this region tractors to hire for ploughing and harrowing. The Commissioner has agreed to the proposal and the project will be underway as soon as the equipment is available. The chiefs in the region have already offered the women large tracts of land for farming. Brong-Ahafo women are ready for help to set up their own co-operative. The Projects Committee held discussions with the Brong Ahafo Regional Commis¬ sioner. He supported the farming project and also recommended that women could grow sunflower and castor seeds in their backyards or on any available plot of land for the production of oil. The land in the area is fertile and women can grow these crops all the year round. The NCWD at the various workshops stressed the importance of cultivating oil seeds and "the extraction of oil." The Council has been making efforts to secure impr-eved sunflower seeds for the women (and has already encouraged women to grow sunflower and castor seeds for oil). Accordingly the Council is trying to meet the need for a simple machine for oil from extracting sunflower and castor seeds. Efforts to identify appropriate intermediate tech¬ nology for the purpose are underway. The Commissioner Regional suggested that the NCWD should help women in the region to secure trucks and tractors to help the women's groups in the region. The Projects Committee has recommended that the NCWD the Ahafo Secretary in Brong- Region should spend some time with the Regional Secretary in the Northern Region and study the organisation of the NACWOD Multipurpose Co-operative and see whether a similar one can be started in Brong-Ahafo. The Projects Committee was delighted with the NCWD Advisory Committee in Brong-Ahafo. The Committee was doing all that the NCWD expected the Regional Advisory Committee to do. It is the first Advisory Committee that has a good grasp of its functions and other Regional Advisory Committees can learn from it.
15 Volta Region The Projects Committee found that the women in the Volta Region are actively pursuing five economic projects.
1. The Dabala Basket Weaving Project During the first Republic, the government of Ghana, invited the Republic of China to help set up a basket weaving industry at Dabala. A factory was set up and the women were taught to use the leaves of date-palms which abound in the area for the production of baskets and straw hats. This project was abandoned after 1966. At the NCWD Workshop at Ho, women who acquired the skill requested that the factory be re-opened. The Projects Committee visited Dabala and found that with a little help, the women of Dabala can produce good shopping baskets for export. One of these baskets was exhibited at the Seminar in Liberia attended by Miss Janet Asare and Mrs Esther Ocloo and the demand for it was so great that the NCWD is actively preparing to help the Volta Region set up this industry in a big way. The leaves used for the basket were taken to Germany by Mrs Ocloo who was attending a conference in Vienna. The Basf Limited is testing the grass to see the type of dye that can hold and will not fade. The Projects Committee is considering helping the women of Dabala to weave not only baskets and straw hats but also table mats for export.
2. The Vegetable Growers Association Some women in the Kpandu area decided to grow vegetables for sale after the Ho Workshop. With the help of the Regional Commissioner they received tractor service for ploughing and harrowing. The vegetables were planted and are doing well, but the women ran into financial problems in maintaining the farms. The Regional Commissioner was so impressed with their effort, that he gave them a loan of C 1,000.00. This is a project that has great potentialities.
3. Pottery Women pot-makers from Kpandu attended the Ho Regional Workshop and brought with them samples of their work. The Projects Committee was so impressed that samples of the finished products were exhibited at the West African Seminar on "Small Business Enterprises for Women" held in Liberia, in October 1976. These products like the Dabala baskets stole the show and several orders were made. As a follow-up, the Committee visited the pot-makers in Kpandu to see whether they can organise and produce for export. The women were delighted but complained that, with the construction of the Volta Dam, the good clay deposits were flooded and that they had to buy clay from the Adidome area at C30.00 a cocoa bag. The Committee recommended that the National Council on Women and Development should seek the help of the Regional Commissioner in securing trucks to convey the clay, and also in the construction of a "Common Service Centre," where a kiln should be built for the use of all the women pot-makers in the area. This is a project with great export potential, and the NCWD is studying it.
4. Raffia Mats and Bags at Hohoe After the Ho Workshop, a retired school teacher organised a group in this area to weave raffia mats and bags from available local materials. The products have great mar¬ ketable potential and the Projects Committee has recommended that it is encouraged and enlarged.
5. Oyster Shell Project After the Ho Workshop, the women at Sogakofe requested the help of the NCWD to secure a crushing machine to prepare oyster shells for animal feed. The Projects Committee is making a feasibility study of the proposal.
16 Eastern Region The Committee visited the Kwamoso Palm Plantation and inspected the huge stock of palm-bunch waste lying idle. It therefore requested the Manager of the plantation to make this waste product available to the women of the area. With the help of the NCWD technical experts, the women learnt to produce Potash for the making of local soap (Amonkye). The women quickly acquired the skill and are producing the potash. The NCWD Technical Unit is preparing a simple recipe for soap making at home with the use of this potash. The aim is to sell the potash in polythene bags so that housewives any¬ where, can produce their own household soap, with the help of the recipe. AttheNewTafo Cocoa Research Institution the Projects Committee requested that the Waste cocoa husks be made available to women in the area, for the production of potash for soap making. Dr Adumako, the Director of the Institute was very interested and offered to test the finished product for the Council. The Regional Social Welfare Officer offered to cart the cocoa pods to Koforidua where the women will produce the potash. The women in this area have already produced large quantities of potash ready to be bagged in polythene bags for sale.
Ashanti Regional Secretariat In consonance with the Council's aim to work through existing women's organisa¬ tions, the Regional Secretary of the Council has been visiting women's groups in this region to brief them on the Council's functions and activities and to help identify problems being faced by women. To help the women increase their earning capacities the Regional Secretariat is help¬ ing women to form co-operatives to undertake soap and caustic soda production and palm oil extraction in Konongo and Obuasi Districts, while women in Aboabogya, Juaben, Agogo, Darban, Asofia and Kumasi have offered to take up vegetable growing, cassava production and processing, as well as bread making. The chiefs in these towns have been very co-operative. The Kenyasehene has offered the Council seven acres of land for cultivation, while the Juabenhene has granted three acres for cassava and gari production. The Secretariat will assist the co-operatives to raise funds to undertake the projects. In addition, the Secretariat has been helping to solve social problems referred to it by the Regional Administration.
Greater Accra Region The Regional Secretary in this region has been visiting various groups of women en¬ gaged in different occupations in order to acquaint herself with their problems and to find possible solutions to them. To this end, the Secretary has made considerable pro¬ gress with women engaged in kenkey and banku making, women in tomato trade and women in fish curing business, all of whom are resident in Labadi. The Secretary has succeeded in arousing the interest of the Chief of Labadi who has assured the Council his full support. So far, 15 women engaged in kenkey/banku/koko making have shown keen interest in the Council's efforts to get them organised. At the moment, the Secretariat is trying to get the women to form co-operatives in order to have direct access to maize and bank loans.
The Secretary hopes that the Labadi Kenkey Sellers Association will be a forum for discussing family-life education, credit unions, etc.
Fish Curing
The Council's Regional Secretariat has managed to help a group of women form a Fish Curing Co-operative Society at Kokrobite. Members of the co-operative are currently contributing to buy a modern fish curing oven to facilitate their work. The Secretariat is working in co-operation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Home Extension Department and the Fisheries Department.
17 Women in Tomato Trade The Regional Secretariat has also succeeded in getting a group of women at Oyibi in the Dangbe Shai District to grow cassava and pepper, and is negotiating with the Ministry of Agriculture to provide them with tractor service. The Chief of this village has also pledged his support and has promised to release a plot'-ef arable land for the project.
6. Special Services in Matters of Distress and Emergency Affecting Women (a) The Council accepted recommendations presented in a paper written for the Coun¬ cil by Mrs Ruth Adjorlolo on Task Forces which will be set up on ad hoc basis to meet specific needs to maintain and generate programmes to bring quick relief in areas of dis¬ tress. The task force idea is to mobilize the services of retired school teachers, social welfare workers, nurses, etc. resident in any area to bring their skills and experiences to bear on any given problem in a concerted action likely to bring quick relief and solution. An example of the stress condition for which Task Forces could be of immense help was the effect of S.M.C. Decree 17 on some market women. This Decree withdrew certain items of imported commodities from the open market. The Decree vested the sale of specified items like milk, soap, sugar, etc. in designated sales outlets only. The market women felt that some lines of their retail trade were taken away and their livelihood adversely affected. The Council moved in quickly to suggest alternative profit-making occupations. Their representatives and leaders of market women affected were invited for discussions followed by a meeting of market women arranged by the Council with the Commissioner föf Trade responsible for the implementation of the Decree. The face to face encounter did help to clear the air.
(b) National Service Personnel The National Service Secretariat sent 15 National Service Personnel to the National Council on Women and Development, to work with the Council. Five of them were at the National Secretariat, of these four were working for the Research Unit collecting data on different aspects on the status of women, and one, with the Information Unit. One was attached to the Greater Accra Regional Secretariat, two, to the Northern Regional Secre¬ tariat, two, to the Ashanti Regional Secretariat, and one, to the Brong-Ahafo Regional Secretariat. These Service Personnel were assigned various responsibilities by the Regional Secre¬ taries. To make them understand and appreciate the functions of the Council they were sent to the Volta Regional Workshop at Ho from 11th—16th October as participants. They showed a lot of enthusiasm and actively participated in some of the projects under¬ taken at the workshop. They were later sent to Accra for an induction course on the aims, objectives and programmes of the National Council on Women and Development. The Council hopes to involve as many of these Service Personnel as possible in litera¬ cy programmes. There is the possibility that some of them can be offered permanent appointment by the Council, if they so desire.
(c) Seminar For Regional Secretaries and National Service Personnel — 3rd December, 1976 The National Secretariat organised a two-day seminar for its Regional Secretaries and National Service Personnel to assist them in improving the quality of work done, and to help them to be effective in their activities of integrating women in national development. Nine Regional Secretaries and 15 National Service Personnel from all the regions attended the seminar. Resource persons who lectured at the seminar were drawn from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, the Department of Social Welfare, Accountant-General's Department, the Civil Service Training Centre and expe¬ rienced men and women who have distinguished themselves in their various activities on the status of women.
18 The Chairman of the National Council on Women and Development gave an inspiring key note address, focusing on the importance of the status of women, human environment and world peace. She stated that after three important world conferences, it has become obvious that the full participation of women in such deliberations is vital to make them meaningful. The Chairman stressed that economic emancipation of women is vital for their full participation in Development.
Economic freedom involves women working outside the home and in full control of how their earnings are spent. The ability to earn a good income involves expertise in marketable skills and women must receive the appropriate education and training to mobilize the full support of women at the grass roots for development, appropriate village technology aimed at increased production and time and labour-saving devices must be introduced. Securing markets for the finished products is also vital.
7. International Conferences (a) Mexico Conference
Recommendations made at the Accra Declaration were presented at the United Nations General Assembly in Mexico City in 1975. It received enthusiastic support and was highly commended. The issues raised in the Accra declaration have become the basis of the Council's recommendations to Government and also provided the subjects of the Council's research programmes. The IWY Conference adopted the Mexico Declaration and the famous World Plan of Action which contains suggestions for the improvement of the condition of women in areas of Education, Health, Employment, Housing, etc. Ghana participated in all the debates and in the formulation of both the Mexico Declaration and the World Plan of Action.
The National Council on Women and Development did not only serve on the pre¬ paratory Committee, but was also represented at the World Congress of the International Women's Year held in Berlin, German Democratic Republic. The main objective of the conference was to exchange views openly and frankly on all questions relating to the economic, social and cultural development of their countries for the establishment of friendly relations between all people and the consideration of world peace. The Congress launched an appeal to the women of the world, the essence of which may be summed up in the words: "Women everywhere, in recognition of their dignity and their potentials should be allowed fully to develop their talent and capacity". Other International Conferences in which the Council participated are : (1) the UNESCO Round Table Conference on the evaluation of International Women's Year in Paris; November 1976. (2) Conference on the Promotion of Women to positions of Municipal Responsibility which was held in Lome, Togo, from 27th June, to 31st July, 1975. (3) "Women's contribution to Peace", in Kinshasa—Zaire, 13th—20th May, 1975.
(b) Seminar in Liberia
The government of the Republic of Liberia invited the NCWD to participate in a seminar held in Liberia on the Advancement of Women in Small Business Enterprises. Miss Janet Asare and Mrs Esther Ocloo represented National Council on Women and Development and Miss Asare was unanimously elected Chairman of this Regional Seminar held from 18th-22nd October, 1976. Their report and recommendations on the seminar can be seen in Appendix VII. Samples of articles made at the Ho Workshop were exhibited and were not only greatly admired but so many requests for purchase were made that the Council is considering the possibility of exporting such articles. 19 research programmes
The Council realised very early that its advisory role to the government can best be fulfilled on the basis of facts on the present condition of women. This requires careful collection and collation of information. It calls for documentation, on the basis of which remedial actions which will enhance advancement of women can be taken. The Council therefore has engaged in an elaborate programme of research. Below are outlines of major research projects, currently in progress.
9. ON-GOING RESEARCH PROJECTS
Research Theme Research Worker Funding Agency
(a) Compilation of protective measures for Council's Research Government of female employees in major collective agree¬ Unit Ghana ments in Ghana. Government of (b) Compilation of a bibliography of on-going Council's Research research projects in 1975. Unit Ghana (c) Comparison of male-female registration and Council's Research Government of placement at all levels of education. Unit Ghana (d) Compilation of aggregate data profile of Council's Research Government of Ghanaian women. Unit Ghana
(e) Estimation of trends in female participation Council's Research Government of in major occupations using census data Unit Ghana from surveys conducted by the Ministries and data from Researchers in the three Universities, in Ghana. (/) Estimation of the participation of women in Council's Research Government of the labour force at all levels of employment Unit Ghana Government of (g) A report on female participation in education Council's Research at all levels with a special investigation into Unit Ghana girls' access to good quality Science and Mathematics teaching in Schools, in res¬ ponse to the emphasis in the recent policy statement on courses in the Universities. (/?) Compilation and Cataloguing of annotated Council's Research Government of Ghana biliography on Women's roles and time Unit allocation in the various Regions and among different socio-economic strata of women in Ghana. Government of (?) Compiling information on the health hazards Council's Research and other related matters, on female exci¬ Unit Ghana sion in the North-Eastern area of Ghana i.e. Bawku area.
(j) Women in Co-operatives Dr E. Date-Bah USAID (,k) A study into Women's Elealth Problems and Dr P. Twumasi USAI D Utilization Patterns. (/) Mental Health of Ghanaian Women. Dr S. Danquah USAID USAID (m) Parental aspirations for sons and daughters Dr N. K. Dzobo in Ghana.
20 PROJECTED RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
(«) Working mothers and their child care Mrs Nabilla USAID arrangements Williams
Research Theme Research Worker Funding Agency (o) The role of Women in Ghanaian Agriculture. Dr J. A. Dadson/ USAID Dr E. Andah University of Ghana Legon.
(p) Evidence of Stress symptons among Ghanaian Post-Basic USAID Women Nursing Dept. University of Ghana.
Iq) Inter-Ethnic Marriages Dr G. P. Hagan USAID University of Ghana.
(r) Implications of Female religious inclinations Dr J. M. Assimeng USAID on their economic, social and psychological life. University of Ghana.
(s) National Problems of Pregnant and Lactating Dr C. D. Addo USAID Mothers. University Hospital Cape Coast
21 eounciPs recommendations
Ten-Year Plan of Action. In accordance with the spirit of the World Plan of Action adopted at the World Conference of International Women's Year held in Mexico City 1975 and the recom¬ mendations contained in the Accra Declaration of June 7, 1975 the Council drew up and submitted for the consideration of government, a ten-year Plan of Action aimed at the improvement of the social, economic and political conditions of Ghanaian women and their general advancement physically, spiritually and intellectually. The reaction of the Government of Ghana to these proposals is contained in an instrument directing all Ministries concerned to take appropriate action in the matter in consultation with the Ghana National Council on Women and Development. (See Appendix VIII.)
2. Delays in Divorce Procedures: The Council appealed to the Chief Justice to ensure that appropriate delay is built into the divorce procedure where one of the parties is willing and anxious to be reconciled. This is to allow time for genuine efforts at reconciliation. It was also recommended that the services of Marriage Counsellors and men and women of experience and good-will be sought to attempt reconciliation where one party is willing and anxious to be reconciled. The Chief Justice has taken appropriate measures to ensure this.
3. Women to Stand as Sureties: The Council drew attention to the practice whereby police officers refuse to allow women to sign bail bonds since this practice has no legal basis. It has been noted with some satisfaction that the practice is being discontinued.
Discriminatory Condition on New Passport Application Forms: The Council asked that the new clause in the passport form which requests married women to seek the consent of their husbands before they are issued passports be removed. This new discriminatory clause has no legal basis.
4. Comments on Intestate Succession: After careful study the Council sent its comments on the proposals for new legislation on Intestate Succession to the Law Reform Commission (Comments—Appendix IX.) The Legal Committee is at the moment working on a proposed legislation on child main¬ tenance and abortion.
5. Women on Policy Making Bodies: A study into the participation of women in policy-making bodies indicated that of the total number of persons represented on boards, commissions and councils at the local and national levels, only 6.5 per cent are women. Recommendations have accord¬ ingly been made to Government to increase the number of women on such bodies. The Council in the spirit of the Mexico Declaration has recommended that women representation on all policy-making bodies at the national, regional, district and local levels should be at least 30 per cent and that this percentage should be increased as more and more women become qualified for such posts. (30 percent of educated women, have had post primary school education).
6. Representation of Women on International Delegations In accordance with a resolution adopted at the World Conference of IWY in Mexico which called on member states to ensure that there is equitable representation of women on government delegations to International Conferences, the Council recommended to
22 the government that there should be at least 30 per cent female representation on the Ghana delegation to the 31st Session of the United Nations General Assembly and that this percentage be increased yearly until an equitable representation of women on the delegation to the United Nations General Assembly is achieved.
7. Financing of Projects in the Regions
The National Council on Women and Development recommends:
(a) that Government makes it a policy to earmark an amount of money for each region, to be applied to projects aimed at the advancement of women;
(b) that to ensure that such funds are exclusively applied for the purpose indicated above, the vote be placed in the Budget Estimates for the NCWD without prejudice to its normal annual vote. (c) that allocations under the vote should however be made in consultation with the Regional Administration and Regional Planning Committees to keep projects so funded in harmony with integrated development programmes at the Regional and District levels.
8. Areas of Economic Activity
An essential input to future planning survey will be undertaken to identify existing and potential areas of economic activity into which women could move over the next decade. This survey will seek to identify the types of economic activities which can be supported by the various sizes of communities in Ghana as well as the services, financial technical or educational which women will require to help them move into those activities.
The NCWD is making efforts to strengthen its ties with all existing women's groups and organisations. The Council undertakes to initiate the formation of such groups where none exists. Workshop follow-up action is planned with a view to helping women's groups to establish viable economic projects at the regional, district and village levels.
9. Women's Week Celebration
It is recommended that the NCWD will celebrate "Women's Week" every year. The main purpose of the celebration will be to focus the attention of the whole nation on women in nation-building and on the Council's activities. The celebration will be used to obtain support and participation of women's groups in making plans for the coming year. The week will each year be celebrated around the 21st of April, which is the anniversary of the day on which the Council was inaugurated.
23 scholarships
The Council awarded two scholarships offered by the Soviet Women's Committee, U.S.S.R., to two Ghanaian Ladies—Miss Mary Peprah and Miss Cecilia Nutakor to enable them study in different Universities in the USSR. Miss Peprah is to study Economics at Kharkov University while Miss Nutakor is to study medicine at Khuban Agricultural Institute. The two beneficiaries left the country on August 27, 1976 and are reported to be doing well.
The Council hopes to receive many more offers of scholarship from various inter¬ national organisations to extend academic and professional opportunities to more deserving Ghanaian girls, and to contribute towards the development of women in the country.
International Visitors to the Council : Early in January, 1976, the Council played host to Her Imperial Highness, Princess Ashraf Pahlavi of Iran, who paid a five-day official visit to the country. The Council played host throughout the duration of her visit, and especially at a luncheon organised by the Council on Thursday January 29, at the Castle. The Council also played host to Madam Jeanne Martin Cisse—distinguished Guinean Ambassador to the United Nations and Chairman of the U.N. Special Committee on Apartheid, who paid a three-day official visit to Ghana, from 3rd—6th February, 1976. Her Excellency called on Mrs Justice Annie Jiagge, Chairman of the Council, at her Chambers on February 5, to exchange views on advancement of women and also to acquaint herself with the activities of the Council. She was later taken to for sight-seeing by the Executive-Secretary and the Senior Information Officer. Other distinguished visitors to the Council in February include Hon. B. C. Kankasa, a member of the Central Committee, United National Independence Party and Secretary of the Women's Brigade in Zambia; Mrs C. Mulindika of Zambia; Dr Hogan Kamara of the National Negro Women in U.S.A.; Mrs N. Abaueva and Mrs E. Gayevaya of the Soviet Women's Committee. They all attended the National Workshop held in Accra in February, 1976. In October, 1976, Mr Bonyo, in charge of Social Services in Kenya and Mrs Terry Kantai, in charge of the Women's Bureau which is a department within the Social Services Organisation, visited the Council. They were en route from a Seminar in Nigeria, and stopped over in Accra to find out about the functions of the Council and its activities. They expressed interest in strengthening relations between the Council and their organisation. They had fruitful discussions with the Chairman and the Executive Secretary of the National Council on Women and Development. The Council also played host to two UNESCO grant holders, Mrs Vergas Arroya Mireya from Costa Rica and Mrs Alemu Mekdes from Ethiopia from 6th-8th December, 1976. The two women were in the country to gather material for a book on women.
24 TheCouncil hostsa her luncheonhonourherCastleImperialinAshrafHighnessduringPrincesstheIran,Pahlaviatofof Ghana1976.JanuaryinProposingistoAcheampong,FaustinaMrsHeadAlsoState.visittoastinatheofwife MrsJusticeisAnnieChairmanJiagge,NationalWomenCouncilDevelopment,picturetheofandon uppendices
Appendix I
DECREE ESTABLISHING THE COUNCIL
Decree 322 establishing the National Council on Women and Development has the following objectives: (a) to advise the Government generally on all matters relating to full integration of women in national development at all levels; (b) to serve as the official national body for co-operating and liaising with national and international organisations on matters relating to the status of women; (c) to examine and evaluate the contribution of women in the economic, social and cultural fields, and to advise Government as to the specific areas where participation by women may be strengthened or initiated ; (d) to study the effect of customary beliefs, prejudices and practices on advancement of women in the education, political and economic fields, and to report to Government from time to time; {e) to devise a programme for the establishment of machinery and procedures to make possible the continuous review and evaluation of women's integration in the total development effort at local, regional and national levels; (f) to study plans and proposals for the establishment of large-scale non-formal education and training for the purpose of raising living standards in the rural and urban communities and eradicating illiteracy; {g) to perform such other function as the Government may assign to the Council, or as are incidental or conducive to the exercise by the Council of all or any of the foregoing functions.
26 Appendix II COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEES: The National Committees are composed of members of the Council, who may co-opt not more than three persons to the Council. Each Committee among other things identifies areas requiring research and submits specific Plans of Action for the consideration of the Council. The specific areas of concern of each committee are indicated below. (a) EDUCATION COMMITTEE: (J) Formal Education:— Pre-university Education — female enrolment in schools. Drop-out rate among girls in pre-university institutions, Education for family life. (ii) Non-Formal Educations:— Functional literacy programmes aimed at helping women to be more efficient in their work. (Hi) Vocational Trainings:— to increase the skills of women especially the rural women and school drop¬ outs so that they can increase their income. (b) HOME COMMITTEE: (i) Housing. (ii) Home-making; women as mothers and home-makers. (Hi) The home in rural areas and in urban centres. (iv) Maternal and child care services. (c) WOMEN IN SOCIETY COMMITTEE: (i) Women in Political life. (ii) Participation of Women in decision and policy-making bodies. (iii) Family systems —• patrilineal-matrilineal marriage, divorce, inheritance and succession; (iv) Cultural activities — customs and traditions that impede the progress of women. (v) Participation of women in economic activities. (d) WOMEN IN EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE: (;) Women employed in the public and private sectors — factors affecting their employment and promotion. (ii) Self-employed women; Women in Agriculture — training facilities, provision of labour-saving devices and improved implements. Women in Trade and Industry etc. (iii) Promotion of employment opportunities for women. (e) LEGAL COMMITTEE: (/) Legislation that affects women — initiating or reviewing. (ii) Study of customary laws and traditions detrimental to the progress and advan¬ cement of women (iii) Regulations and Administrative Instructions that affect women. (iv) Legal aid. (f) PROJECTS COMMITTEE: The aim of this committee is to enhance the earning capacity of women with a view to raising their standard of living and that of their families. This is done by: (i) Assisting women's groups and individuals to start or expand simple manufac¬ turing enterprises hitherto practised as hobbies into real business. (ii) Teaching women new skills making use of locally available raw materials. (iii) Teaching improved, methods of agriculture and preservation of foodstuffs. (iv) Identifying and popularising relevant intermediate technology to expedite and save human energy. (g) STEERING COMMITTEE: This Committee consists of the Chairman of NCWD, the Chairman of each Com¬ mittee and the Executive Secretary. It meets to take decision on urgent matters requiring attention in between Council meetings. It meets also to study specific issues and makes recommendations to the Council.
27 Appendix III UNITS OF NATIONAL SECRETARIAT (0. THE RESEARCH UNIT The Research Unit under the direction of the Principal Research Officer, organises and co-ordinates research into various aspects of the status of women in society in accor¬ dance with the decisions of the Council. It services the Specialised Committees of the Council by conducting research into specified areas assigned to it by the Council — collec¬ ting, collating and analysing background information required by the Committees for deliberation both at the Committee and Council levels. The Unit is also responsible for devising and applying such methods as may be necessary for conducting sample surveys to assess the present situation of women in education, etc. and for co-ordinating and evalua¬ ting the effectiveness of the Council's programme for achieving its objectives.
(a) COUNSELLING UNIT The Unit among other things, provides guidance for girls and women with respect to available opportunities in education, training and employment. The Unit also offers counselling in marriage, child-care and matters relating to the family, and organises one- day schools and seminars for women's groups.
(Hi) INFORMATION/PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT The Unit publicises the activities of the Council, explains to the public, matters affec¬ ting the Council. It disseminates information about the situation of women in Ghana as compared with that of men in the economic, social and political fields. The Unit is also responsible for the library and is the repository for all research data and reports ; it serves as a central source of information on women, providing readily available facts and figures. It will be responsible for the proposed women's paper in four Ghanaian languages.
(iv) ADMINISTRATION UNIT The Unit is responsible for administrative matters of the Secretariat, providing, supporting clerical, secretarial and other auxiliary staff for servicing all Units within the Secretariat. It is responsible for personnel matters, including employment and training development.
(v) ACCOUNTS UNIT The Unit is responsible for all financial aspects of the secretariat's operations and preparations of the Council's budget estimates, indenting and purchasing of stationery.
(vi) TECHNICAL UNIT This Unit works through existing relevant governmental and non-governmental organisations to motivate and encourage women's groups and individuals in rural areas and urban centres of stress. It encourages the setting up of viable small scale industries, produ¬ cing labour saving devices, and giving technical training in skills. The unit advises on the siting of projects, offers guidance in marketing and ensures the distribution of finished goods to identified craft shops.
28 Appendix IV IDENTIFICATION OF PROJECTS
As a follow-up to the National Workshop held in Madina—February 17-26, and subsequent workshops organised in the various regions, the following were identified as possible viable projects to be undertaken by the Council. They are : 1. WESTERN REGION: (1) School canteens Anglican Women's Fellow¬ ship. (2) Soap-Project St. Monica's Guild (3) Bamboo Craft Presby. Women's Fellowship. (4) Day Nursery Enchi Women's Organisation 2. NORTHERN REGION: a. Sheabutter Spinning Groundnut oil extraction Kulikuli, (instant millet) Local Cheese Food processing—fula, karfa, etc. 3. EASTERN REGION: Project District
— Pale soap manufacture and Pentel Work Koforidua Local Soap Manufacture — Kibi Beads and Pale Soap — Somanya Beads and Pale soap — Odumase Beads Manufacture — Aburi Local and Pale Soap — Asamankese Local and Pale Soap — Akim-Oda Pale Soap — Suhum Pale and Local Soap, Pentel and Tie and Dye — Mpraeso 4. ASHANTI REGION: Local Soap production Bead making Pottery Farming Weaving 5. BRONG AHAFO REGION: Project District (a) Jam making, Batik printing, gari produc¬ — Kintampo tion, vegetable canning, groundnut oil production. (b) Plantain powder production, soap — Dormaa Ahenkro making, beads work, ginger powder, tie and dye. (c) Groundnut oil production, spinning of — Wenchi cotton, Beads work, wool mats, tomatoe canning. (d) Soap making, Cassava Chips — Japekrom (e) Fruit preservation, plantain powder, — Goaso batik printing. (f) Palmnut powder, tie and dye, plantain — Sunyani powder, gari production, wool table mat, farm-toy making, soap making. — Berekum (g) Gari production, soap making
29 6. GREATER ACCRA REGION: Project District i. Oil Extraction—Palm Kernel Oil,
Coconut Oil — Tema ii. Arrangement of Beads iii. Soap making iv. Food preservation—Vegetables and fruits. v. Food Preparation—Fish i. Oil Extraction—Palm oil, Palm kernel — Dangbe oil, coconut oil. ii. Soap Making—Local Soap iii. Tie and Dye iv. Shell Craft
i. Oil Extraction—Palm Kernel Oil —- Accra ii. Rug Making iii. Food Preparation—Kenkey, Fish-curing iv. Preservation of Food—Vegetables and Fruits.
7. VOLTA REGION: Project District (a) Farming—Vegetables (tomatoes, Krachi okro, garden eggs, groundnuts). (b) Soap making, sheabutter for household use.
(2) Farming—Hill rice, corn, plantain, — Jasikan vegetables. b. Soap making: c. Potash—from plantain leaves cocoa pods. d. Oil extraction: from palm — Kpandu
(3) Pottery—(Earthenware) Kpandu-Aloyi b. Weaving:—Hohoe—Abanse bags Hays, mats. c. Farming—Vegetables, cotton.
(4) Weaving—Sogakofe bags'/beads work — Sogakofe b. Dabala Chinese weaving centre to be reactivated. c. Oyster-shells product—Chips for ter- razzo, vim, etc. Machine for crushing oyster-shells.
(5) Farming—(a) Corn, groundnut, cassava pineapples vegetables — Ho (b) Stone Crushing Projects (c) Charcoal burning
(6) Fish smoking oil extraction—coconut — Denu gari, tapioca making, vegetable farming.
(7) Farming—Vegetables, onion, okro. — Keta tomatoes.
30 reports on workshops Appendix V
WESTERN REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON COTTAGE AND VILLAGE INDUS¬ TRIES, HELD AT THE TAKORADI WORKERS' COLLEGE, 10TH-16TH MAY, 1976.
The Western Regional Workshop was organised in conjunction with the Institute of Adult Education Association at the Takoradi Workers' College from Monday, 10th to Saturday, 16th May, 1976. Opening Ceremony: Mr Ofori of the Western Regional Administration performed the opening ceremony on behalf of the Western Regional Commissioner. The Regional Social Welfare and Community Development Officer Mr Botse-Baidoo was the guest speaker. He spoke on the need for development in the rural areas and hoped that women will play their part to make this possible. Attending the ceremony were Mrs Kate Abankwa, Executive Secretary, National Council on Women and Development. Mrs Euphemia Asmah, member of the Council and Mrs Victoria Quartey, Senior Informa¬ tion Officer, National Council on Women and Development.
Mrs Kate Abankwa addressed the gathering on the aims and objectives of the Na¬ tional Council on Women and Development and called for co-operation from Government Departments and individuals in the Region. Participants: About 25 participants from four of the five districts in the Region attend¬ ed the workshop. They were mainly women leaders from voluntary organisations. The Axim district was not represented. Male Participants: The Departments of Social Welfare and Community Develop¬ ment, Rural Development and the Ghana Education Service sent male participants to the workshop in addition to three women representatives. They contributed richly to the lectures and took part in practical demonstrations. Observers: Throughout the period of the workshop, about 60 observers from women's organisations in the Sekondi Takoradi areas who were interested in specific programmes attended the workshop at various times as observers. About twenty of them attended the workshop regularly except the evening programmes. In all about 100 people partici¬ pated or visited the workshop. Resource Persons: All resource persons invited to the workshop were present or sent delegations. The resource persons were very effective in their teaching. Most of them expressed the hope that they would be called back and given longer periods to attain better results.
Demonstration and Practical Work: The practical work undertaken at the workshop included.
(a) Bamboo craft: — by Miss Christine Ghartey, Regional Secretary, the parti¬ cipants were shown how to combine coloured beads and bamboo branches to make Bamboo Curtains and Chokers or necklaces ;
(b) Tie and Dye: — was handled by Mr I. Turkson of the Fijai Secondary School. Mr Turkson gave a talk on the principles of dyeing and types of suitable cloths and dyes and how to achieve desired results. He also taught the participants the art of mixing the various chemicals used in dyeing. The participants worked in groups during the practical lesson and some interesting designs were created ;
31 (c) Beadwork: — Mrs Margaret Amelemah, Regional Home Science Orga¬ niser of the Ghana Education Service taught beadwork. The participants worked in teams and produced bangles, necklaces, earrings, etc. They were shown how to make table mats, wedding gowns, Ladies Evening bags, etc. using beads ;
(d) Soap-making : — Mr J. C. K. Dzah of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, Accra, demonstrated how to make pale-soap (The boiling method). The result was of interest to the participants because of the Rosin and Sili¬ cate used to increase the quantity and scent. Miss Ghartey demonstrated soap making (cold method) to the participants. These two lessons attracted a great number of observers and aroused keen interest. The participants enjoyed the practical lesson immensely. Each participant was given material and opportunity to take part in the practicals. They were allowed to make samples of Bamboo craft and bead work to take away to their various stations. Participants also received a tablet of soap each as sample. i. Lectures: The Lectures delivered at the Workshop were Identifications of Projects by Mr Dzah: He explained how raw materials available in the rural areas could be used to help earn an income. Viable projects in the rural areas were identified. ii. Principles of Co-operatives: The idea of women pooling their efforts and re¬ sources for better businesses was sold to participants by Mr Ankobea of the Department of Co-operatives. iii. The Continuation Schools Integrated Programme: A highlight on how the parents of middle school children in the Tarkwa District are also taught handicrafts at a Centre, using their children's facilities, was given by Mr Swatson, Assistant Director of the Ghana Education Service, Tarkwa. iv. Intermediate Technology: Was the subject of discussion when Mr Opoku Debrah of the U.S.T. Consultancy Centre addressed the Workshop. He spoke on available facili¬ ties, what the centre has so far achieved, and future programmes. He extended his time of stay in order to discuss problems with women leaders and to see if U.S.T. could solve the problems. Request made to him included the manufacture of simple tools to help make the end products of the women look better, a simple oil press. They also suggested setting up of a bead project and a caustic soda plant in the Region. v. The Role of the Western Regional Development Corporation: The Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr Kojo Archer explained the role of the Western Regional Develop¬ ment Corporation and observed that the success of the corporation's programme would ensure a better success of the programme on village and cottage industries since the rural folk would need money to buy the products of women engaged in Village and Cottage Industries. vi. The work of the Department of Rural Development was also highlighted by Mr Mensah-Woode, who explained how the department has helped build houses in the rural areas, as well as the set up of vocational projects in the region. vii. Poultry Farming: Time did not allow the workshop to go through a practical demonstration on the erection of Hen-Coops using bamboo. Mr Techie-Mensah how¬ ever spoke on the care and management of poultry birds. He will be invited later to give demonstration lessons and help the Regional Secretariat to set up an Animal Husbandry project. Field Trips: Arrangements were made for participants to see the inside of a ship M/V Pra River. Evaluation: The workshop sparked off the spirit of self help in the women of the region. As a direct outcome of the workshop four women's organisations in the region have madç proposals to undertake various projects in the regions,
33 It's Workshop time and here, Mrs Esther Ocloo {back to camera), member of the Council and Technical Adviser, demonstrates how to design tie and die prints. NORTHERN REGIONAL WORKSHOP 21ST-28TH JUNE, 1976
Participants:
Participants came from five out of the seven districts in the Region. They were made up of school teachers, social welfare and Community Development Field Officers, tradi¬ tional group leaders and Rural Development officers on permanent residence. A spinning and cloth weaving group from Tamale also took part in practical work. There were few observers throughout the period.
Opening Ceremony:
The opening ceremony was performed by the Regional Commissioner, Major R. K. Zumah.
Workshop Programme:
Talks: Talks were given by officials of the Department of Rural Development and Mr J. C. K. Dzah. Participants showed interest in all these talks except the one given by the Regional Agricultural Officer which was too broad in scope and therefore failed to satisfy the demands of participants, as intended.
Demonstration: Participants took keen interest in practical work, which included tie and dye, cotton spinning, local dye preparation, extraction of oil from shea nuts and cotton seeds, weaving, preparation of lechiri—a local instant food and soap making.
Closing Ceremony:
The closing address was delivered by Miss Adisa Mukaila, member of the National Council on Women and Development. She advised the women present to consult the Regional Secretary for advise whenever the need arises.
Remarks:
On the whole, the workshop was successful and the Regional Secretary enjoyed the full support of the Regional Commissioner, Major Zumah himself, throughout the period.
EASTERN REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON VILLAGE AND COTTAGE INDUS¬ TRIES HELD AT KOFORIDUA SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL, 4TH-10TH JULY, 1976.
The Eastern Regional Workshop on Village and Cottage Industries held at Koforidua from 4th-10th July, 1976 was a follow up of the National Workshop held in Accra from 16th February—27th February, 1976. It was the 3rd one organised in the capitals. It was sponsored by the National Council on Women and Development, and organised in conjunction with the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development.
Objectives of the Workshops: 1. To explore the use of locally available raw materials for production of market¬ able objects; to learn new skills. 2. To extend women's economic roles co-operatives and small scale industries in Ghana.
3. To increase the earning capacities of rural women and to give them spending power which would improve the quality of rural life for their families,
34 Venue: Government Secondary Technical School, Koforidua. Duration: Six days: 4th-10th July, 1976.
Organisers: National Council on Women and Development, Social Welfare and Community Development.
Language: The Workshop was organised in Twi.
Participants: (a) Participants were made up of 40 leaders from the women orga¬ nisations from all the districts, officers from the Department of Social Welfare, Department of Co-operatives and the Ghana Education Service. (b) The Regional Secretaries from Western, Volta, Accra, Brong-Ahafo and Kumasi were also present during the workshop.
Programme: The programme was based on the objectives of the Workshop. In all the participants had the chance of practising after the demonstration. (a) Pale and local soap making. (b) Beads manufacturing. (c) Tie and Dye designing. (d) Preservation of foods e.g. orange squash, plantain, cocoyam and cassava chips. (e) Toy and bag making. (f) Palm oil extraction. Talks: (a) Cassava Production (b) Consumer co-operatives. (c) Family Planning. (d) Village and Cottage Industries.
OPENING OF CEREMONY 5TH JULY, 1976
The Workshop on Village and Cottage Industries was officially opened by the Re¬ gional Commissioner, Col. K. A. Takyi at the Ghana Legion Hall. In addition to the many relevant issues pertinent to the objectives of the Workshop, the Commissioner enumerated some of the functions of the National Council on Women and Development. The function was attended by a large number of people including Mrs Kate Abankwa, Executive Secretary of the National Council on Women and Development, Mrs E. Ocloo, Mrs G. Orleans, Miss Janet Asare, Mrs Delphina B. Vanderpuye and Mrs Vicky Reynolds Quartey, all from Accra.
Miss C. A. Kwapong, principal of Aburi Specialist Training College was the guest speaker for the occasion. She stressed on the need for women to play their full part in national reconstruction. She went on to say that they could only play their part well if they change their attitude towards jealousy, laziness, greed, apathy, selfishness, ostentatious living, extravagance and blind copying of foreign fashions which make us only third rated Europeans.
Soon after the opening ceremony, the participants went to the Ghana Secondary School to start the programme. The following resource persons gave their best during the Workshop : Mrs J. Bramson taught Tie and Dye and Pentel Work. She occupied participants throughout the Workshop and taught them all the techniques of Tie and Dye. Participants were highly interested, keen and learnt a lot from her. Mr Dzah demonstrated pale soap making (hot method) followed by practical work in groups by the participants. Madam Tenkorama from Sagyimase also demonstrated the preparation of Local Caustic Soda (gyakisi) from cocoa and plantain husk followed by the preparation of Local soap making kododoma or Amonkye.
35 There was a trip to Aboabo to learn bead making. Participants were surprised to know that beads could be made from ordinary broken bottles. Participants had the chance of going through all the techniques of beads manufacture i.e. pounding, sifting, moulding, baking and smoothing. They were really thrilled. Mrs Eunice Williams also exhibited her knowledge on food preservation, toy and bag making. There were also talks on consumer co-operatives and credit union by Mr S. C. Budjei as well as a talk on how to expand their business. Miss Helena Opong from the Ministry of Agriculture talked on Cassava production, how to detect cassava diseases and how to cure them. There was also a talk and a film show on family planning. Mr D. K. Okyere from the Social Welfare Department, Koforidua and Mr J. C. K. Dzah talked on Cottage Industries and gave participants a lot on what to look for when setting up small scale industries.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony which took place on July 9, was attended by Mrs Esther Ocloo and Miss Janet Asare from Accra. Also present was Miss Rose Owusu, a State Attorney who acted as Chairman. She later opened the end course exhibition put up by the partici¬ pants at the Legion Hall. This exhibition was highly impressive. Some of the exhibits were tie and dye materials, beads, hand bags, local and pale soap, and also orange squash made by the participants. Observers highly appreciated the samples and wondered at how participants took just a few days to prepare a lot of items on display.
ASHANTI REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON VILLAGE COTTAGE INDUSTRIES, 26TH—31ST JULY, 1976 AT WESLEY COLLEGE, KUMASI
The Ashanti Regional Workshop on Village and Cottage Industries was held at Wesley College from 26th-31st July, 1976. The opening address was delivered by Major L. K. Kodjiku, Ashanti Regional Commissioner. In his speech, he said it is heartening to note that the drive to emancipate women to enable them to participate in the economic development of the nation, did not end with the International Women's Year. He said he is optimistic that if the Council keeps up its present pace of work, women in Ghana will participate more effectively in the development of the nation by the end of 1985. Major Kodjiku commended the ouncil for her efforts and pledged his support.
_ The opening ceremony was attended by officers from the Regional Administration, various Ministries, a cross section of the public, Regional Secretaries of N.C.W.D., Mrs Kate Abankwa, Executive Secretary, Mrs Esther Ocloo, Miss Janet Asare, Dr Florence Dolphyne, Mrs B. Amonoo-Neizer, Mrs A. Amankwaah, all members of the Council, and Mrs Vicky Reynolds Quartey of the National Secretariat. At the same function, a Regional Advisory Committee was inaugurated.
Programme
The workshop programme followed the same pattern as those in other regions. There were talks on the functions of Agricultural Development Bank and Identification of projects in the region. There were also demonstrations on soap making—pale and tradi¬ tional, cloth-dyeing and beads making. Participants held impromptu discussions with the Co-ordinator on home-management and marital issues.
Field Trips There were exciting field trips to Asuofia Bead-making industry, Kwamo Technology Consultancy Centre to see the soap plant and also to the Cultural Centre. Entertainment There were film shows by Family Planning Association Information Services De¬ partment, and United States Information Services,
36 SUNYANIWORKSHOP—AUGUST1976:Participantsforpreparingpalmsoap.paleoil Closing Ceremony:
It was attended by Miss Christine Namon, a member of the Council who gave the closing address. Also present was Mrs Baafi, wife of the commanding officer, 4BN.
Comments :
Although not many representatives from women's groups attended the workshop, participants enjoyed their stay and learnt new skills. Some expressed their appreciation at the Council's efforts, and suggested that future workshop programmes should include discussions on intestate succession, inheritance, abortion etc.
BRONG AHAFO REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON VILLAGE AND COTTAGE INDUSTRIES, SUNYANI, 15TH-20TH AUGUST, 1976
The Brong Ahafo Regional Workshop on village and cottage industries was organised from 15th to 20th August, 1976 at Sunyani Polytechnic. The opening ceremony took place on the 16th August, 1976, at Sunyani Civic Centre and was attended by several women from women's organisations, market women, civil servants, participants, traditional chiefs in Brong Ahafo, and Regional Secretaries of the Council. Also present were Miss Janet Asare, Mrs E. Ocloo, Council members, Mrs Vicky R. Quartey, Senior Information Officer and Major M.M.M. Danquah, Co-ordinator, of the NCWD and members of the Regional Advisory Committee. After a parade through the principal streets of Sunyani with Odumasi Brass Band in attendance, the guests assembled at the Civic Centre to listen to the opening address which was delivered by Lt.-Col. K. O. Abrefa, Brong Ahafo Regional Commissioner. In his speech he pledged the full support of his administration to the Council and appealed to women's organisations in the region to co-operate with the Council to raise the standard of living for women. The Commissioner later inaugurated the Regional Advisory Committee and introduced the members to the gathering. At the function was Nana Fremaa II, Queenmother of WenchiTraditionalArea who chaired the occasion. There was also a demonstration on the production of local soap (amonkye) by one of the participants. The Regional Commissioner appealed to all present to copy her example and be productive. The function received full T.V. and press coverage. After the ceremony, participants assembled at the Technical School where Mrs Ocloo briefed them on the objectives of the Council in organising the workshop.
Programme :
It included a talk on "Home Management and Budgetting" by Miss Leticia Osei, a member of the Regional Advisory Committee and also from Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, a talk on the 'Role of the Consultancy Centre in Rural Industries Development in Ghana' by Dr B. A. Ntim; a talk on "Budgetting and programme," "Vocational guidance"—by Mrs A. B. Torkornoo and "Social Crimes," "Co-operatives", "Farm Management;" There were also practical demonstrations on bead work, soapmaking, tie and dye and batik production, toy making, garri making and preparation of dishes from cassava. Participants showed keen interest in all the practical demonstration programmes, but especially in soap production, and the bead work. A number of the participants showed interest in garri production and expressed their desire to take it up as a project. Two members of the Council, Miss T. Asare, Mrs E. Ocloo, and members of the Regional Advisory Committee—Mrs A.B. Torkonoo, Mrs C. Takyi, Mrs E. Yeboah, Miss E. Osei visited two areas where garri is produced on a large scale to have talks with the people already in the industry. They were accompanied by the Regional Secretary, Mrs Selina Oppong Ntim, Mrs Vicky Reynolds Quartey, Senior Information Officer and Mr J. C. K. Dzah, Technical Officer, both of the Council,
33
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony was performed on August 17, by the Regional Commissioner, who also cut the tape to open a grand exhibition of the finished products put up by the participants at the Civic Centre. Present at the ceremony were Mrs Kate Abankwa, former Executive Secretary, and Dr P. A. Twumasi, member of the Council.
A cocktail party was organised for the participants at the residency after the closing ceremony. The Odumase Brass Band was again in attendance. Participants departed for their various destinations on August 21, 1976.
It is worthy to note that the success of the workshop depended on the co-operation of the Regional Commissioner and the members of the Regional Advisory Committee. Other bodies whose contributions should not be overlooked, are the Regional House of Chiefs, the Director of Rural Development, Principal and Catering Officer of the Sunyani Technical Institute and the various lecturers and tutors.
GREATER ACCRA REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON COTTAGE AND VILLAGE INDUSTRIES
Introduction
The Greater Accra Regional Workshop took place at the Ghana Labour College from 12th to 18th September, 1976.
Participants
Participants were drawn from Women's Organisations in the churches, Moslem Women's Association and Home Extensions Women's Groups.
There were also participants/observers from the Ghana Prison Services, Ministry of Health, State Protocol, Ministry of Agriculture Home Extensions and members of Women's organisations.
Participants came from all the three districts of the Greater Accra Region. In all there were thirty-two participants and eighteen observers.
Acknowledgement
A number of people contributed towards the success of the workshop and we are very grateful to them. Special mention must however be made of the following without whose assistance and co-operation the workshop could not have been successful : 1. The Greater Accra Regional Commissioner, Lt. Col. W. A. Thompson. 2. Mrs Maureen Thompson, Wife of the Regional Commissioner. 3. Mrs Justice Annie Jiagge, Chairman of the National Council on Women and Development. 4. Nii Amugi II, Ga Mantse. 5. Dr Ruby Quartey Papafio, a retired Educationist and Social Worker. 6. Mrs Grace Marfo, Ministry of Agriculture, Home Extension. 7. Mrs Kate Riby-Williams, Department of Social Welfare and Community Devel¬ opment.
Formal Opening—13th September, 1976.
The formal opening was performed by the Greater Accra Regional Commissioner, Lt. Col. W. A. Thompson at the Arts Centre at 10.00 a.m. The Chairman for the function was Dr Ruby Quärtey-Papafio, a renowned educationist and a social worker.
40 The ceremony was attended by a large number of people including Mrs Justice Annie Jiagge, Chairman of the National Council on Women and Development, members of the Council, Representatives of women's organisations in the Greater Accra Region, Govern¬ ment Officials, the Director of the National Vocational Training Institute and his Deputy and Chiefs and elders of the Ga Traditional Area. Representatives of the Mass Media were also there.
Mrs Bartlet Vanderpuye, a member of the National Council on Women and Devel¬ opment gave a brief welcome address. The Regional Commissioner delivered his address in both English and Ga.
The newly appointed Executive Secretary of the National Council on Women and Development, Miss Jane Cole, was formally introduced to the gathering by Mrs Justice Annie Jiagge.
In her closing remarks the chairman for the function advised the women to take full advantage of the workshop and to learn the various skills that would be taught. She stressed on the need for Ghanaians to be self-reliant and to appreciate local goods. After the formal opening the participants and guests were treated to light refreshment. The Social Advance Institute Cultural Group performed drumming and dancing.
Workshop At the workshop the following practical Activities were done.
i. Bead Work Date: 13-9-76.
Time: 3.00 p.m.
Miss Ghartey introduced the participants to various arrangements of beads; she was joined by Miss Wood. The participants worked in six groups and were assisted by all the regional secretaries present.
ii. Oil Extraction
The following kinds of oil were prepared : (a) Palm Oil (b) Palm Kernel Oil (c) Coconut Oil. Mrs Selina Oppong-Ntim, Regional Secretary for Brong-Ahafo Secretariat and Mrs Aikins, a representative of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development gave a helping hand in the preparation of the palm oil and also demonstrated the prepara¬ tion of coconut toffee and table salt.
iii. Rug Making
Rug making was taught by Miss Angelina Wood. The participants worked in six groups. They were assisted by the Regional Secretaries.
iv. Preservation of Food
Mrs Josephine Jeffery was invited to demonstrate preservation of vegetables and preparation of Orange Squash. She was assisted by Mrs Salome Ansong.
The following were made: (a) Preserved Tomatoes (whole) (b) Preserved Garden Eggs and Pepper (whole) (c) Tomato Puree (d) Orange Squash v. Pale Soap Mr J- C. K. Dzah demonstrated the preparation of pale soap. He was assisted by Mrs Felicia Attafua and Mrs Salome Ansong.
vi. Local Soap A full demonstration on the local soap could not be done due to unforeseen cir¬ cumstances. However, the process was explained to the participants and a demonstration on how to burn the dried plantain peels and on how to get the potash was done. Participants were also shown finished local soap and local caustic soda which were sent in by Mrs Esther Ocloo a member of the Projects Committee of the National Council on Women and Development. On the whole participants showed keen interest in the practical activities.
Lectures
There were in all five talks which were delivered in Ga and translated into Twi where it was felt necessary. 1. Talk on Co-operatives: Mr Anim of Department of Co-operatives gave a talk on co-operatives, he explained the principle of co-operatives and outlined different kinds of co-operatives. After the talk the participants were allowed to ask questions. The participants understood the principles of co-operatives and their doubts on co-operatives generally were cleared. 2. Talk on Credit Unions: Mr S. T. Engman from the Credit Union Association gave a talk on credit unions. This was followed by questions and contributions from partici¬ pants. 3. Talk on Starting and Keeping a Business: Mr Sifa of the Ghanaian Enterprises Commission explained how to start and keep a business. Participants were allowed to ask questions and to express their views on the topic. 4. Functions of Banks: Two officials from the Bank for Housing and Construction and the Agricultural Development Bank respectively explained the functions of their banks to the participants. This was followed by lively discussions on how to obtain loans from the banks.
Field Trip National Rabbit Project, Kwabenya. There were field trips to and from University farm at Nungua. Lever Brothers Limited, Tema: Participants were briefed on the production of pale- soap, toilet soap, omo, tooth paste and margarine. Later, fact sheets on Lever Brothers Ghana Limited were distributed to participants. There was also a trip to the Tema Textiles Limited. Tema Textiles Limited: At the factory participants were shown the production of cotton material from the raw cotton to the finished product.
Evaluation Questionnaires were distributed to Participants/Observers. The Regional Secretary explained the questions and asked the participants/observers to write their answers. Those who could not read and write were assisted by those who could. Forty-two (42) questionnaires, duly filled, were collected. Some of the questions and answers were as follows :- Have you ever attended a residential course/workshop ? Yes: 13 No: 29
Which practical work did you find most useful?
42 A great majority found rug, soap and bead-work most useful, others felt all the items were useful.
What else could have been added to the practical activities ? Participants/Observers felt that the following could have been added: Nylon bag, preparation of local dishes. Do you intend organising your Group to undertake any project? Yes: 42
Which project? Palm kernel oil, Beadwork, Palm oil and Rug.
General Remarks
Participants found the workshop interesting and promised to take the knowledge they acquired to their groups. Some suggested that such workshops should be organised every year.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony took place at the main hall of the Ghana Labour College. It was attended by a large number of people including Dr F. Dolphyne, Mrs Alberta Ollenu, Mrs E. Asmah, all members of the National Council on Women and Development, Dr Ruby Quartey Papafio, Representatives of Women's organisations and Government Officials. The closing address was delivered by Mrs Kate Riby-Williams. In her address she stressed the need for Ghanaian women to contribute effectively to the development of the Nation. Mrs Alberta Ollenu also addressed the participants. She advised the participants to impart what they have learnt to their groups. She later cut the tape to declare the Exhibi¬ tion open. There was a full TV coverage of the exhibition. Exhibits included Orange squash, Preserved tomatoes, Palm oil, Coconut oil, Palm Kernel oil, Pale soap, Local soap, Rug, Beadwork and Tie and Dye fabrics.
VOLTA REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON VILLAGE AND COTTAGE INDUSTRIES, HO. 11TH OCTOBER 1976—16TH OCTOBER, 1976
Participants and various women organisations in and around. Ho marched through the principal streets of the town. By 9.00 a.m. the participants, various women groups, invited guests and other members of the public had taken their seats awaiting the arrival of the Volta Regional Commissioner, Lt.-Col. G. K. Amevor to perform the opening ceremony. The Regional Commissioner and his entourage arrived at exactly 10.00 a.m. Present were Mrs Annie Jiagge, Chairman of the National Council on Women and Devel¬ opment, Mrs Esther Ocloo and Miss Janet Asare, both Council members. Others were the Secretaries of Greater Accra, Eastern and Western Regions. Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo and Northern Regional Secretaries were represented by their National Service personnel. Other personalities present were heads of departments and corporations in the region as well as the Paramount Chief of Ho traditional area Togbe Afede Asor, Queen-mothers and their elders.
The opening function began with a prayer by Rev. F. H. Buatsi of the Christian Council, Ho. The Chairman for the occasion was Mrs Justice Adza, former Principal of St. Teresah's Training College, Hohoe.
43 The guest speaker for the occasion was Lt.-Col. G. K. Amevor, Yolta Regional Commissioner. He reminded the participants of the aims and objectives of the workshop. It was to identify the various women groups or organisations in the region and to bring them together to work in harmony, co-operation and love. He said the workshop was intended to expose women to new skills as well as to revive interest in existing village and cottage industries which are fast on decline owing to the unprecedented speed of social change in our society.
He stressed further that the overall aim was to broaden the minds of our women folk so that they can contribute fully in all aspects of human development. Putting optimum emphasis on our national commitment to the policy of self-reliance, the Commissioner said that the participants should aim at educating and assisting the various women groups and individuals to accept the use of local raw materials to produce handicrafts and esta¬ blish small-scale, but viable cottage industries in order to increase their earning capacities. He urged the participants to team up with others to form co-operatives for the expansion of their business. This would eliminate wasteful duplication which works to the detriment of both the individual and the national economy, he stressed.
The five member Regional Advisory Committee of the National Council on Women and Development was inaugurated by the Commissioner. He exhorted them to do all within their power to ensure that the work for which they have been chosen is deligently and effectively, done.
In attendance was the Ho YMCA cultural troupe who defied a heavy downpour to entertain the gathering to a very fascinating cultural drumming and dancing. Later, the Commissioner and invited guests as well as participants went round to see demonstrations of local soap-making, mat weaving and pottery. The morning session was rounded off with refreshment.
Participants
Participants numbered about 40-50 depending on the programme for the day.
Programme
The programme for the workshop included talks on "The role of the Ghanaian Enterprises Commission" — by Mr S. K. Akwayena — Regional Representative of the Commissioner. "The Ministry of Agriculture and the People" — by Mr Stephen Dankye, Regional Agricultural Officer, "Co-operative Institutions — by Mr Atta-Mensah, Volta Regional Co-operative Officer. There were also practical demonstrations on mat-weaving, basket weaving, tie and dye and batik works, pottery, soap making, food preservation and oil extraction. Hf
Participants worked in groups according to the programme on schedule and helped identify projects which can be undertaken in the Volta region.
Closing Session
The closing session was attended by Miss Jane Cole, Executive Secretary and Mrs Alberta Ollenu, member of the Council. The closing address was read by Mr G. G. Mortty Regional Administrative Officer on behalf of the Regional Commissioner. In his speech, he expressed satisfaction on the interest shown by participants in the workshop and hoped that the skills they had learnt would constitute a worthy basis for further achievements.
There was an exhibition at the Ho District Council. This was opened by Mrs Grant, wife of Lt-Col. C. Grant, Commanding Officer of Medium Mortar Regiment, Ho. The Workshop was rounded off with a cocktail party for the participants by the wife of the Regional Commissioner, Mrs Bertha Amevor. In attendance were the Regional Com¬ missioner and other heads of departments, corporations and institutions in Ho.
44 Appendix VI
STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL SCALE (VILLAGE AND COTTAGE) INDUSTRIES BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND DEVELOPMENT
The National Council on Women and Development in fulfilment of one of its objec¬ tives of assisting the people, particularly women, in raising their standard of living in their own areas, has embarked upon the programme of development of small scale industries as an economic venture. The goals of this economic venture are:—
(a) to set up viable industries which will create employment avenues for some women in their own areas ;
(b) to provide materials and develop recipes for the manufacture of some simple items in as the home such soap, food preservation, etc., to save money in home keeping and;
(c) to teach skills and motivate some women also in taking up other services where¬ by they can earn their living without unnecessary hardship. The programme involves :—the revival of interest of the people in some of the traditional crafts and cottage industries whose products are still valuable in the society. The need to develop new skills and techniques in production of some articles from local raw materials cannot be overemphasised. The Council aims at assisting women's groups and individuals to start or expand simple manufacturing enterprises hitherto been practiced as hobbies into real businesses in order to increase the earning power of women and also to create employment avenues for more people especially in the rural areas. The Council seeks to work with all Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisa¬ tions presently operating in the country who are trying to assist in the development of women and the people. It will co-ordinate their economic activities under this programme to have their desired effects on the lives of the people. Some of these organisations are :— 1. The Department of Social Welfare and Community Development. 2. Ministry of Agriculture Extension Services 3. Ministry of Health 4. Department of Rural Development 5. Young Women Christian Association 6. The Church Women's Organisation 7. Muslim Women's Organisations 8. Traditional Women's Group 9. Enterprising Private individuals 10. The Ghana Youth Council. The Technical Unit within the National Council on Women and Development which is in charge of the Village and Cottage Industries programme, will. work hand in hand with these organisations and even with some private individuals to carry out feasibility study, market research, and training of group leaders and other personnel for the effective running of projects selected by the people. It will advise the council and the people on the viability of a project in a particular area before it is started in order to avoid waste of resources.
Before a project is adopted by the Council it must have received a formal application from the groups or individuals concerned, stating the type of projects and help needed. Upon receipt of this application, the Technical Unit will conduct a feasibility study on the project to submit a report to the Projects Committee of the National Council on Women and Development for its assessment. If the project is accepted an agreement will be signed between the group and the National Council on Women and Development for the full commitment of the two parties in the project, (the group and the National Council on Women and Development).
45 The National Council on Women and Development will give financial assistance, technical advice, arrange bank loans and other credit facilities for the approved projects. The Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations sponsoring the groups are also expected to contribute some capital and other things needed for the running of the projects and also to ensure full supervision of personnel for an effective operation. All group members must be involved right from the processing stage of a project through to the establishment stages in order to make each member feel committed to the development of the project in their own interest and must therefore work to protect its interest. Group members may be requested in some cases to contribute share capitals for the development of a project as an element of self-help.
The National Council on Women and Development is determined to develop a strong co-operative spirit among all women's groups and also to make its groups accept¬ able for small bank loans in the development of the Village and Cottage Industries. For these reasons, the Regional Advisory Committees are advised to co-opt. the Regional or District Co-operative Officer and a local Bank manager to their projects advisory commit¬ tees. These officers are to be involved in the planning and development of projects selected. With their rich experiences, a lot more could be achieved in the economic fields. The National Council on Women and Development must supervise and urge its adopted groups to be regular in paying back loans received in connection with projects in order to be credit worthy and set some good examples in the running of the business. Before any project is adopted by the Council, Projects Processing Sheets ABC designed by the Council must have been duly completed in triplicate and approval given by the National Projects Committee. Emphasis will always be laid on proper record and accounts keeping on all projects. Secretaries and Financial Clerks will be trained in these directions right from the time a project is adopted by the Council and on the job as work goes on. Production and marketing of goods will be the sole responsibility of the individual groups but the National Council on Women and Development will establish craft shops at centres to assist in the sale of such goods locally. It will also arrange foreign markets for some items needed in other countries to boost up the trade. In this regard, the council will place emphasis on good quality products and finishing of crafts. To achieve perfection in this field, production units are to be encouraged to carry out experiments on their own and also try new methods passed on to them by the Technical Unit staff. As much as possible and a matter of policy, projects could only be developed upon availability of raw materials to keep the projects in production for very long time or indefinitely. Our pro¬ gramme is based on self-reliance and self-help for the development of the individual and the community in general.
The Council will establish a research and information dissemination centre immediate¬ ly at the National Headquarters on Village and Cottage Industries. A similar centre will be established later in every region known as "Common Service Centre" where various skills and techniques will be tried in the manufacture of articles produced by the various groups in order to arrive at the correct use of materials in the production process and to be in position to direct groups on correct use of recipes in the manufacture of specified articles. Information gathered in these centres will be passed on to the Women's groups engaged in the production of goods in the regions. Producers will be invited to attend refresher courses from time to time in order to review their techniques in the manufacturing process to acquire new knowledge and skills in their various fields.
46 Appendix VII
VILLAGE AND COTTAGE INDUSTRIES PROJECTS PROCESSING SHEET (APPLICATION FORM)
FORM A
1. Name of Group or Person establishing-project
2. Address
3. Region District.
Town/Village
4. Type of Project:
5. Product/s s
6. Type of raw materials to be used in production
7. Sources of raw materials.
8. Total Funds required to start project: 0...
9. Sources of fund:—
(a) From Local/Person Source: 0...
(b) Loans from 0...
(c) Others 0...
Total 0...
10. Type of Equipment required and value
11. Type of Buildings required and number
47 12. Number of persons required to start the project.
13. Amount required for salaries and wages ... <2.
14. Amount required for equipment <2..
15. Amount required for raw materials <2.
Total <2.
16. Total number of skilled workers available:..
17. Type and quantity of goods to be produced:
(a) per day (approximate)
(b) per week (approximate)
(c) per month (approximate)
18. (a) selling price per unit :
(b) selling price per dozen :
(c) other selling conditions:
19. Do you have to obtain permission from any authority before going in for produc¬
tion? (If yes, who and where) ?
20. Source of market
21. Do you meet any difficulty in obtaining valid permits for production and sale of
goods ?
22. Do you need the assistance of the National Council on Women and Development
in obtaining valid permits?
23. Describe form of assistance needed:
48 24. When will production begin, mention approximate date:
25. Project's sponsorship: (a) Head of organisation : (b) Name of organisation:
(c) Address :•.
26. Declaration :
We/I agree that the above information supplied are correct and represent the true knowledge on the project. We/I promise to abide by all regulations of the National Coun¬ cil on Women and Development pertaining to the establishment and running of the said project under its supervision. 27. Signature of Applicant/s: 1. Title Date
2 Title Date..
3 Title Date.. 28. Signature of Sponsorer/Witness: I certify that the above project is being developed in my area of jurisdiction and with the assistance of my field staff in the best interest of the people. I promise to supervise this project to become a real viable venture and to guide the activities of the group reco¬ very of any loan granted for the establishment and running of this project. Name Signature: Designation: Dates: *This portion is to be signed by the Head of Ministry/Department/Organization in the Region or District. 29. Recommendation: Feasibility study has been conducted on the said project and the site visited on:
I certify that this project will be/not be/a viable venture in the area and recommend/ disrecommend it to be adopted by the National Council on Women and Development with support *(Delete words not applicable). Signature: Name: Project Officer (National Council on Women and Development) Date:
30. Approval : The Project Committee of the National Council on Women and Development has examined the necessary conditions on this project and found it suitable/unsuitable/for approval and adoption by the council "'(Delete words not applicable). Signature: Chairman Project Committee (National Council on Women and Development Accra.) Date:
49 VILLAGE AND COTTAGE INDUSTRIES PROJECTS FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT SHEET
FORM B
1. Name of Project: 2. Type of products:
3. Name of Town/Village where project is or will be established :
4. Region: District:
5. Describe type of raw materials in use or to be used in production and where it could
be secured:
6. Does the project need any foreign equipment or raw materials ?
7. Is skilled labour available at site for production ? 8. State amount required estimates for: (a) Buildings (b) Equipment and tools (c) Stock of raw materials (d) Transport (e) Salaries and wages (/) Overhead expenses (g) Total
9. State source of capital to start project :— (a) Local or personal (b) Bank loans (c) Grant or other form of assistance {d) Total
10. Assistance required from National Council on Women and Development for the operation of project. State item by item.
11. Have you conducted any market research on sale of products? State conditions and estimated income.
12. Have you visited the site of project, state all prevailing conditions and date of visit.
13. Do you approve of this project and found it feasible to be undertaken by the group and therefore recommend it to the National Council on Women and Development
Signature : Title:
Date: 14. Comments from Project Committee: Signature: Title:
Date:
50 VILLAGE AND COTTAGE INDUSTRIES PROJECT AGREEMENT SHEET
FORM C
We/I the undersigned, the appointed representative(s) of (name of group).
have agreed to establish and run a (name of project).
at
under the Village and Cottage Industries programme of the National Council on Women and Development.
2. This project is sponsored by (name of Organisation) Proprietor
who is ready to supervise the entire activities for an effective running of the project on business line.
3. That the National Council on Women and Development is allowed to give any technical and financial assitance from its own sources or otherwise towards the devel¬ opment of the above project in our own interest.
4. That any loan arranged and received in connection with the above project will be settled regularly and on schedule by members of the above group or the proprietor.
5. That members of the group have been duly registered as a co-operative group with
the Department of Co-operatives in
District of the Region.
6. That accounts of this group are subject to audit inspection according to Government financial regulations.
7. That proper accounts shall be kept on the day-to-day transactions of the group by its Financial Personnel open to inspection by officials of Department of Co-operatives or our sponsoring organisation and the National Council on Women and Develop¬ ment.
8. That we members of the
operating this project shall be jointly and severally responsible for the smooth running of the said project and shall therefore bear all the costs of losses of Govern¬ ment property which might arise through carelessness and negligence of duty. We attach herewith a full list of group members on whose behalf this agreement is being signed.
51 Signatures of Group Leaders:—
1. Chairman Name:
Date:
2. Treasurer Name:
Date:
3. Secretary Name:
Date:
Signatures of Head of Sponsoring Organisation
1. Regional Head.....
Name: Date:
2. District Head :
Name: : Date:
Signatures ofRegional Advisory Committee, National Council on Development :
1. Chairman:
Name: Date:
2. Regional Secretary:
Name: Date:
Signatures of National Council on Women and Development (Headquarters)
1. Chairman (Project Committee)
Name: Date:
2. Executive Secretary:
Name: Date:
3. Technical Officer:
Name : Date :
52 Appendix VIII
FINAL REPORT OF THE SEMINAR FOR THE "ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES"
MONROVIA, LIBERIA 18TH OCT.—22ND OCT.
A. Obstacles to Development of Small Business Enterprises Identified 1. Educated and uneducated women do not usually work together in women's organisa¬ tions. There is usually an organisation for the uneducated and another for educated women. This leads to a complex where one group has little confidence in or respect for the other. There is a need to co-ordinate these organisations. 2. Lack of adventurous spirit and limited initiative coupled with a feeling that business is not for women. Since women have usually been left out of decision-making, there is a tendency for them to use family responsibilities as excuses for non-attendance at meetings —and for not getting involved in business.
3. There are several problems associated with women in small business, as follows: (a) Lack of capital for initial investment. (b) Lack of opportunities to obtain small loans for investment in or expansion of business. (c) Lack of technical know-how to manage an effective viable and productive business. (d) Lack of basic literacy so that many women in small business cannot read and write. (e) Lack of transportation, Transportation is a major problem as women usually have to transport by head load or pay exhorbitant prices for rental of trucks or other carries to transport produce. (f) Lack of adequate supply of raw materials at reasonable prices. Lack of development of indigenous raw materials. (g) Lack of roads. Access roads to link market to business areas are absent in rural areas. (h) Lack of sanitary facilities, health clinics, clean water, sanitary toilets—all having effect on the health of women. (i) Lack of day-care facilities for children. (j) There is unfair competition with large firms which are foreign owned. Large firms control pricing. (k) Ancient taboos that prohibit women from engaging in certain business ventures, coupled with local prejudices towards women in certain ventures where women begin to feel that business is not for them, and beneath the dignity of women of high political or educational statús. (1) Women do not know their rights or how to fight for these rights.
Recommendations
1. Women must get more involved in economic ventures and decision-making that concern socio-economic development of the nation. 2. A follow-up seminar on women in small businesses to be convened in each home country. 3. A follow-up regional seminar be convened yearly to review proposals and evaluate programmes. 4. Efforts to assure that women have opportunities to compete in business ventures by guaranteeing them protection through price control.
53 5. A national commission, agency, or ministry such as the National Council on Women and Development in Ghana, be a part of each of the other West African Governments represented in this Seminar, so that there will be a permanent ministry or agency res¬ ponsible for the development of women and improvement of the status of women, which could : (a) guarantee loans for small business ventures. (b) create interest in small business by providing incentives similar to those given big business.
(c) set up training programmes in management, systems of marketing, use of labour saving devices, preservation and strong facilities, and improve skills through functional literacy. 6. Organise West African Women's Council to include all the West African countries including French and Portugese-speaking; that assistance should be requested from the following U.N. bodies—ILO, ECA, UNIDO, ECOWAS, UNESCO and UNICEF. 7. That women must take the leadership in organising Consumer Associations in their respective countries, which should have regular seminars to educate women in consumer problems.
Plan of Action
1. Circulate widely the report, recommendations and resolutions of this Seminar to the Governments represented and to the representatives for prompt implementation and follow-up. Also to OAU, ECOWAS, UNESCO, ECA, UNIDO, ILO, UNICEF.
2. Within two months after the close of this seminar, each nation should convene a national seminar on the needs of women in small businesses in that country to ascertain needs and implement the following :- (a) follow-up Regional Seminar's recommendations that a National Com¬ mission, Agency, or Ministry be organised in each West African country where it does not exist (b) a Steering Committee from the National Conference be empowered to act until the Commission is finalised. These Committee members will meet with the National Government leadership to acquaint them with the plan of action for improving small businesses for women, as follows: 1. Talk to local leaders in each political sub-division to acquiant them with the overall project of improving the status of women which is a mandate from UNESCO. 2. Alert leaders that the Steering Committee is making personal contact with women to find out what their business needs are. 3. Meet individual women in business and ask their opinion of what business needs are.
4. After talking with individuals, convene a meeting and have business women come together. Combine all necessary forces to make for good attendance. 5 If small non-profitable co-operatives are already operating, get the necessary expertise in the country to help women organise into profitable co-opera¬ tives. 6. Include in the co-operative, plans for: (a) small loans (b) child-care service (c) agro related industries (d) profit-sharing (e) management techniques
54 7. Organise adult education classes through the supervisor of schools in area and relate to problems of profit and loans, inventory control, etc. 8. Plan a self-help project to construct stalls & storage facilities for small businesses. 9. Request assistance of Government officials, representatives and Senators to curb inflation of prices. Such control must come from the national government. Women cannot do business if prices are not regulated. 10. Request that a representative from Women's Agency, Commission, or Ministry be included on ECOWAS and WARDA. 11. Plan strategies in ECOWAS and WARDA to eliminate duplication of industries in West African countries and plan effective import-export strategies. 12. Petition the governments represented in this seminar to protect all enter¬ prises women are engaged in from foreign industries.
Submitted by : Janet F. Asare (Miss) Submitted by: Esther Ocloo (Mrs)
55 Appendix IX INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR RECOMMENDATIONS—1975
The National Council on Women and Development at its meeting held at the State House on the 12th December, 1975 resolved in accordance with the spirit of the World Plan of Action adopted at the World Conference of International Women's Year held in Mexico this year to submit the following recommendations for the consideration of Govern¬ ment.
1. That a plan covering a ten-year period from 1975 to 1985 providing guidelines for na¬ tional action as part of sustained, concerted long-term effort to achieve the full integration of women in all spheres of National life be adopted by the government of Ghana. 2. That there should be a clear commitment at all levels of government to take appropriate action to implement the targets and priorities set in the ten-year Plan of Action. 3. That at the end of first the five-year period (1975-1980) there should be a national evaluation and appraisal to enhance a more effective effort in the second five-year period. 4. That the Government of Ghana should seek election to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
Recommendations for the ten-year Plan of Action A. Education
Informational and formal and non-formal educational programmes should be laun¬ ched to make the general public aware of the need to provide girls and women with a solid initial education, adequate training for occupational life and ample opportunities for further education and training. Maximum use should be made of the mass communi¬ cation media both as a tool for education and as a means for effecting changes in community attitudes.
Illiteracy
(a) Target dates within the ten years period should be set for the eradication of illiteracy and high priority given to programmes for women and girls between the ages of 16 and 30 years. (b) Acquisitic n of literacy should be promoted as an integral part of all other kinds of learning activities of direct interest and value to the daily lives of people. (c) Voluntary Organisations, Church groups, Young groups and other Institutions and individuals witn effective programmes to combat illiteracy should on the recommendation of the National Council on Women and Development be considered for government assistance to encourage and promote their program¬ mes.
(d) Voluntary task forces of students on holidays and other young people should be established on ad hoc basis to teach literacy during specified periods. (e) Firms and bodies that employ unskilled labour should be encouraged to provide literacy classes for their employees.
Formal Education
(a) A target date should be set for free and compulsory primary education for girls and boys. Textbooks and at least one school meal a day should be provided at subsidized rates. (b) Textbooks and other teaching materials should be re-evaluated and where necessary rewritten to ensure that they reflect an image of women in positive and participatory roles in society.
56 (c) Programmes, curricula and standards of education and training should be the same for boys and girls. Courses for both sexes in addition to general subjects should include home science and cookery in boys' schools as well as girl's schools; other subjects like industrial and agricultural technology, civil educa¬ tion, economics, current problems of society, responsible parenthood, family life, nutrition and health should be introduced at appropriate levels in schools for both girls and boys. Choice of subjects should be guided by aptitude. (d) Co-educational institutions should provide equal admission and curricula facilities to both men and women.
(e). Special programmes for continuing education for the middle and secondary school leavers on a part-time basis should be arranged to ensure retention of what has been learnt at school and to assist women in their family, vocational and professional activities.
(f) Similar programmes should be arranged for drop-outs to enable them to partici¬ pate in literacy and basic skills and child-care arrangements where necessary should be made to enable the young mothers to participate.
Non-Formal Education
(a) Integrated social training programmes should be developed for girls and women in rural and urban areas of stress, to enable women to participate fully and productively in economic and social development and to take advantage of technological advances and simple labour and energy saving devices to reduce the drudgery of daily life. Such programmes should include training in modern methods of agriculture and the use of equipment, co-operatives, entrepreneurship commerce, marketing, animal husbandry and fisheries and in health, nutrition and family planning.
(b) Existing and new vocational programmes of all types should be equally accessi¬ ble to women and men, to enable them have a wide choice of employment opportunities.
(c) Multi-purpose training centres should be established in rural and urban centres to provide education and training in various techniques and disciplines and to encourage a self reliant approach to life. (d) Vocational and career guidance programmes should be mounted to help girls and boys choose their career according to their real aptitude and abilities rather than on the basis of deeply ingrained sex stereotypes.
B. Employment and Related Economic Roles
(a) Education for employment and training programmes should be mounted and geared to opportunities for employment (including self-employment) and related economic roles of women.
(b) Special attention should be given to the need for multilateral approaches to facilitate the combination of family and worK responsiblities. These may include staggering of working hours, flexible working hours, part-time work for women and men and child care facilities.
(c) The provision of creeches, day care centres and nurseries for the children of working mothers should progressively be included in the amenities provided by all employers.
(d) Maternity benefits should be charged on social security and all employers of labour whether they employ women or not should contribute a small percentage depending on the number of employees, towards maternity benefits.
57 (e) Appropriate measures should be taken to eliminate the exploitation of female labour in particular, that of young girls where ever it exists. (f) Government sponsored forma.l training for home-helps should be instituted to relieve part of the burden of husband and wife who are employed in economic pursuits outside the home. The conditions of service of home-helps should be regularised. (g) Rural industries i.e. Cottage and Village Industries must be made an integral part of all national development plans and the provision of the basic rural infrastructure (eg. water supply, electricity, etc.) should be expedited. (h) Integrated national development plans should give priority to the training of women and girls in improved methods of farming, marketing, purchasing, sales techniques, basic accounting and organizational methods. (i) Appropriate credit facilities should be made available to and within easy reach of women in rural areas.
(j) Appropriate technology should be used to replace the present cumbersome tools (eg. hoe and cutlass) and higher institutions of learning be called upon to devise tools and equipment to supply women. (k) All rural development programmes including the creation of suitable industrial and employment opportunities should be geared to reduce the migration to urban areas and its attendant problems. Decentralization of education and health facilities to rural areas are necessary as an aid to lowering rural rates of illiteracy and mortality. (1) More qualified women should be placed on all decision making boards and policy-making bodies at all levels, in fair relation to the number of men.
The Family in Modern Society
(a) The institution of the family, which is changing in its economic, social and cultural functions, should ensure the dignity, equality and security of each of its members and provide conditions conducive to the balanced development of the child as an individual and a social being. (b) The family is also an important agent of social, political and cultural change. If women are to enjoy equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities, and contribute on equal terms with men to the development process, the function and roles traditionally alloted to each sex within the family will require continual re-examination and re-assessment in the light of changing conditions. (c) The rights of women in the family (nuclear or extended family) should be pro¬ tected by appropriate legislation and policy. (d) There should be legislation to ensure that women married under customary law have the same right to free choice of a spouse and to enter into marriage only with their free and full consent. (e) The minimum age for marriage should be fixed at 18 years for all marriage under the Marriage Ordinance, the Marriage of Mohamedans Ordinance and also all marriages under customary law. Legislation relating to a minimum age for marriage is necessary to stop child marriage under customary law. The minimum age of 18 years provides a sufficient period of education for girls and boys, but particularly girls, to enable them complete their education and develop their potentialities prior to marriage. (f) There should be legislation to compel official registration of all marriages and all the wives in a polygamous marriage should be registered in a special register provided for the purpose.
(g) Legislative and all other appropriate measures should be taken to ensure that women as well as men enjoy full legal capacity and exercise their personal and
58 property rights, including the rights to acquire, minister enjoy, dispose of and inherit property, including property acquired during marriage, Unjust limita¬ tions placed on the rights of widows over property acquired during marriage in certain sectors of the Ghanaian society should be removed. (h) The principle of equal rights and responsibilities during marriage should enhance joint decision-making on matters affecting the family and the children. (i) The same grounds for dissolution of marriage contracted under customary law should be available equally to both spouses. (j) All appropriate measures should be taken to ensure to spouses equal rights in
• relation to property on dissolution of marriage either by divorce or by death. (k) Decisions relating to the custody of children should be taken only in the best interest of the child and both parents should contribute according to their means to the maintenance of children of the marriage after divorce. (1) All appropriate measures should be taken to preserve the unity of the family which is the basis of society; and to this end, government instituted or supported programmes and counselling services geared to minimize conflicts in marriage, should be established and the Divorce court should be urged to take full ad¬ vantage of such services. (m) Appropriate delay should be built into the divorce procedure where one of the parties is willing and anxious to be reconciled or where consent of the parties is necessary but the consent of one party to have the marriage dissolved is more apparent than real, to allow genuine efforts at reconciliation. (n) Educational programmes for marriage and for personal relationships including psycho-sexual development, should be integrated into school curricula at appro¬ priate levels and into non formal educational programmes to prepare young people of both sexes for responsible marriage and parenthood. (o) Adequate family planning facilities should be made available and within easy reach.
(p) All adequate and appropriate measures should be taken to combat prostitution and the illicit traffic in women especially young girls. Pilot projects should be set up to prevent such practices and rehabilitate the victims.
C. Housing
The majority of women spend more time in and around the house than men. Improve¬ ment of the house and its related facilities and its neighbourhood will contribute to the quality of life of the family. Legislative and other appropriate measures should be taken to guarantee that the views and needs of women are taken into account in the planning and design of rural and urban housing, in all housing development projects and in planning human settlements.
Research, Data Collection and Analysis
National research activities, data collection and analysis on all aspects of the situation of women is essential for the formulation of policies concerning the integration of women in the development process, and for evaluating progress in effecting attitudinal and basic social and economic change. The appropriate government institutions and higher institutions of learning should be encouraged to initiate research and carry out the collection of scientific and reliable data to serve as suitable economic and social indicators which are sensitive to the particu¬ lar situation and needs of women. This should be done as an integral part of national programmes of statistics. Special attention should be devoted to issues such as:— 1. Participation of women in local and national planning and policy-making at all sectors of national life.
59 2. The extent of women's activities in food production, in water and fuel supply, in marketing and in transportation. 3. The economic and social contribution of household work and other domestic chores, handicrafts, cottage industries and other house based economic activities. 4. The effect on the national economy of women's activities as consumers of goods and services.
5. The relative time spent on economic and household activities and on leisure by girls and women compared with boys and men. 6. Marketable skills for women and available facilities for training. 7. The quality of life as indicated in e.g. job satisfaction, income situation, family life, civic and political life, and the use of leisure time. 8. Female criminality and the rehabilitation of female offenders including juvenile delinquents and recidivists. Also the relationship between female criminality and social problems brought about by conflict of traditional attitudes and values with modern ones or the problems created by rapid social change.
Regional and International Action
(a) The Economic Commission for Africa should be called upon to expedite plans for the formation of a Regional Council on Women and Development in Africa. (b) The Organisation of African Unity should be called upon to amend its Charter and to establish a Council on Women and Development. (c) There should be an equitable representation of women on all government delegations abroad especially to the United Nations and also on trade delegations and delegations on the exchange of cultural and social programmes and all other programmes to promote peace, economic and social justice.
60 Appendix X
PROPOSED INTESTATE SUCCESSION DECREE
BE IT ENACTED by the Supreme Military Council as follows : Application of Decree 1. (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section and to the rules of private interna¬ tional law the provisions of this Decree shall apply to the estate of any person who dies intestate after this Decree comes into force. (2) The Decree shall not apply to any stool, skin or family property.
Intestacy and partial intestacy 2. (1) For the purposes of this Decree a person shall be deemed to have died intestate if at the time of his death he had not made a will disposing of his estate.
(2) Where any person dies leaving a will disposing of any part of his estate he shall be deemed to have died intestate in respect of that part of his estate not disposed of in the will and accordingly the provisions of this Decree shall apply to such part.
Devolution of household chattels
3. Where the intestate is survived by spouse or child or both spouse and child, as the case may be, shall be entitled absolutely to the household chattels of the intestate, and to such other movable part of the estate as they were enjoy¬ ing with the intestate at the time of his death.
Spouse or child or both to be entitled to one house 4. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Decree—• (a) where the estate includes only one house the surviving spouse or child or both of them, as the case may be shall be entitled to that house and shall hold it as joint tenants; (b) where the estate includes more than one house the High Court may, upon application made to it by the surviving spouse or child or both of them as the case may be, determine which of those houses shall devolve to such spouse or child or both of them and they shall hold such houses as joint tenants.
Offences against spouse and child of a deceased person 5. (1) Whoever before the distribution of the estate of a deceased person un¬ lawfully— (a) deprives the spouse or child of the deceased of the use of (/) any part of the property of the deceased ; or (//) any property shared by the spouse or child with the deceased at the time of his death; or (b) otherwise interferes with the use by the spouse or child of any property referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection, shall be guilty of a misdemea¬ nour.
Intestate survived by spouse and child 6. Where the intestate it survived by spouse and child the residue of the estate shall pass in the following manner: (a) one-fourth to the surviving spouse; (b) five-eighths to the surviving child ; (c) one-eighth in accordance with customary law.
61 Intestate survived by spouse
7. Where the intestate is survived by spouse but not by child the surviving spouse shall be entitled to three-fourths of the residue and the remaining one-fourth shall pass in accordance with customary law.
Intestate survived by child
8. Where the intestate is survived by child but not by spouse the surviving child shall be entitled to three-fourths of the residue and the remaining one-fourth shall pass in accordance with customary law.
Dependants
9. (1) Except as provided in section 10 or 14 of this Decree if, upon application made to the High Court by a parent of the intestate at any time before the distribution of the residue under sections 6, 7, or 8 of this Decree, the Court is satisfied upon proof that the parent was a dependant of the intestate at the time of his death it may make an order granting to such parent a portion of the residue not exceeding one-eighth.
(2) The portion of the residue to which the parent may be entitled under subsection (1) of this section shall be taken out of that part of the residue of which the child of the intestate would otherwise have been entitled under section 6 or 8 of this Decree or, where there is no child, out of that part to which the spouse would otherwise have been entitled under section 7.
Intestate survived by parent
10. Where the intestate is survived by parent but not by child or spouse, one-half of the estate shall pass to the surviving parent and the remaining one-half shall pass in accordance with customary law.
Disposition of residue where customary law is inapplicable
11. Where no customary law is applicable to the disposition of that part of the residue which by virtue of sections 6, 7, 8, 10 of this Decree shall pass in accor¬ dance with customary law such part of the residue shall pass in equal shares to those beneficiaries entitled to share the residue under the relevant provisions of this Decree;
Where customary law provides for succession by family
12. Where the customary law rules of succession applicable to any portion of the estate provide that the family of the intestate shall take a share in the estate.
(a) the family shall be the family to which the intestate belonged for the pur¬ poses of succession in accordance with the customary law of the community of which he was a member;
(b) in the case of an intestate who, because he was a member of two custo¬ mary law communities, belonged to two families shall take the share;
(c) in the case of an intestate who is not by customary law a member of any family the share of the family shall pass to the family which the intestate was identified at the time of his death or, failing that, to the families of his parents.
Intestate survived by neither spouse, parent or child
13. (1) Where the intestate is not survived by spouse, child or parent the estate shall pass in accordance with customary law.
62 (2) Where customary law does not provide for the devolution of the estate of an intestate who is survived neither by spouse, child or parent, in the circumstances referred to in sub-section (1) of this section, the Republic shall succeed to the estate.
(3) In the circumstances referred to in subsection (2) of tnis section, the High Court may, on application made to it, order that any person who was maintai¬ ned by the intestate was closely identified, but maintained out of the estate, or that a portion of the estate or the whole estate shall pass to such person.
Small estates
• 14. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 4 and 6 to 10 of this Decree (a) where the total value of the residue does not exceed <21,000.00 the residue shall pass to any surviving spouse or child, and where both spouse and child survive to both.
(Jb) where the intestate is survived only by a parent but by neither spouse nor child and the total value of the estate does not exceed <21,000.00 the estate shall pass to the surviving parent.
Commissioner may alter value of residue
15. The Commissioner responsible for Justice may by legislative instrument vary the maximum value of the residue or estate to which section 14 of this Decree applies.
Sharing of portion of residue by two or more persons
16. Subject to the rule of customary law relating to a member's interest in com¬ munal property, where two or more persons are entitled to share a portion of an estate under this Decree they shall divide it among themselves in equal shares.
Presumption against survivorship
17. Where spouses die in circumstances—
(a) in which it appears that their deaths were simultaneous; or
(b) rendering it uncertain which of them survived the other, each one of them shall, for the purposes of this Decree, be presumed to have died without being survived by the other.
Grandchildren of intestate
18. Where a child of the intestate has predeceased him the whole or a portion of that part of the estate to which he would have been entitled had he survived the intestate may be ordered by the Court to pass to his child, being the grand¬ child of the intestate, if upon application made of the High Court before the distribution of the estate it is proved that the grandchild was a dependant of the intestate at the time of his death.
Interpretation
19. (1) In this Decree, except where the context otherwise requires — "child" includes a natural child, a person adopted under any enactment for the time being in force relating to adoption and any person recognised by the person in question as his child or recognised by law to be the child of such person;
63 "estate" means self-acquired property which the intestate was legally compe¬ tent to dispose of during his life time and in respect of which his interest has not been terminated by or on his death; "household chattels" include furniture and furnishings, refrigerator, television, radiogram, other electrical and electronic appliances, kitchen and laundry equipment, books and motor vehicles other than vehicles wholly used for commercial purposes; "intestate" means any person to whom section 2 of this Decree applies ; "parent" include natural mother and father and any person recognised by law to be the mother or father of the intestate;
"residue" means all that part of the intestate's estate that does not devolve according to sections 3 and 4 of this Decree
"Republic" means the Republic of Ghana; "rules of private international law" includes such customary law rules of private international law; "will" include 'samansiw' and any other form of will recognised at customary law.
(2) For the avoidance of doubt any reference in this Decree to child, parent or spouse shall include reference to children, parents or as appropriate, to spouses.
Repeals 20. The following enactments are hereby repealed— (a) section 48 of the Marriage Ordinance (Cap. 127) ; and (b) section 10 of the Marriage of Mohammedans Ordinance (Cap. 129).
Statutes and laws ceasing to apply 21. (1) All such customary law and religious rules relating to intestate succession as are applicable in Ghana immediately before the coming into force of this Decree shall in so far as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree cease to apply. (2) The statutes of England relating to intestate succession applicable in Ghana immediately before the coming into force of this Decree cease to apply (3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section the provisions of this Decree shall not affect the validity of any act done under any law in force in Ghana relating to intestate succession immediately before this Decree comes into force.
Commencement
22. This Decree shall come into force on the day of
CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL.
64 Appendix XI
COMMENTS BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND DEVELOP¬ MENT ON THE PROPOSED DECREE ON INTESTATE SUCCESSION
Some General Comments
The Council noted that the Law Reform Commission's Draft does not make any provision for the surviving parent and that it is the unanimous view of the Council that some provision should be made for the surviving parent before the property devolves according to Customary Law. Changes to this effect have been made by the Council in this report. The Council found the terms "entitled absolutely" and "joint tenancy" undesirable and they have been eliminated and replaced by more suitable terminology. As a result sections three, four, seven and eight have been re-drafted.
Section One
This section remains as it stands in the draft.
Section Two
This section remains as it stands in the draft.
Section Three
The Council felt that as this section stands it means something unexpected that has beneficial consequences for the deceased and his inheritors but inimical consequences for the creditors. If this was not intended then this part of the decree must be clarified. In its present state creditors would be unable to collect their debts and inheritors would not be obliged to pay them. For example a house subject to a charge could be inherited free from any incumbrance after the owner's demise. To avoid this the Council has proposed a new form of words that eliminates the implications of the words "entitled absolutely". "Household chattels" was re-defined and as a result, this new definition makes the wording of this section after the second "intestate" unnecessary. The final clause of that section is therefore irrelevant. See section nineteen for the new definition of "household chattels". The proposed wording for section three is as follows "Where the intestate is survived by a spouse or child or both, the household chattels of the intestate that were in use at the time of his death shall vest in the spouse or child or both as the case may be".
Section Four The Council felt that there could be problems in the application of section four (a) where a second spouse makes a claim to the one house referred to in section four (a) when this is already occupied by the first spouse. The term "joint tenancy" was also felt to be unsatisfactory as it enables the property to pass down through all the surviving children with the last one and his family eventually- inheriting all. This was felt to be not only unfair but also dangerous in its possible abuse through murder and other such actions that the rival members of the family may take. Section four (a) was therefore re-worded as follows :— "Where the estate included only one house it shall vest in the spouse or child or both as the case may be as tenants in common." Sub-section (b) of this section deals with a situation where more than one house is left by the deceased. The Council felt that the right of choice between the houses should
65 be left to the spouse and that the Court should intervene only in the event of the spouse being unable or unwilling to choose one.
This raised the question as to whether the court should be guided by any considera¬ tions laid down in the decree on valid criteria to use in deciding which house to award the spouse. Possible factors affecting the choice could include the area in which the house is situated, encumbrances on the house, the value cost of the house and so on.
Section Five
It was felt that the idea behind section five for the protection of the spouse was good in principle but it was queried whether in fact this section was sufficiently protective.
One of the immediate priorities is that the spouse should not be ejected or locked out of the place he or she has been residing and in order to ensure this is secured at least until the property has been allocated, the following suggestion was put forward :—
"That there be a general prohibition to the effect that it be a criminal offence to forci¬ bly eject, before the expiration of three months, any spouse or child from any premises before provided by the deceased immediately before his death, whether the man was entitled to it or not." Sub-section (b) remains as it stands in the draft.
Section Six
The wording "residue of the estate" refers to the property excluding the matrimonial house, chattels and the debts payable. If the child is young his portion is often entrusted to the mother. The question under discussion, therefore, was whether the portion she would receive in such a case was enough.
Section six was therefore modified to make allowances for the parent in dividing up the deceased's property. Section six should read as follows:
"Where the intestate is survived by spouse and child the residue of the estate shall pass in the following manner:—■ (a), \ to the surviving spouse; (b) f to the surviving child; (c) (z) iV to the parent ; (») iV in accordance with customary law. a But in the absence of surviving parent . i in accordance with customary law.
Section Seven
The proposed rewording of this section is as follows:—
"Where the intestate is survived by spouse but not by child | of the residue shall vest in the surviving spouse, i shall pass to the surviving parent and \ shall pass in accor¬ dance with customary law. In the absence of a surviving parent \ shall pass in accor¬ dance with customary law.
Section Eight
The proposed re-wording of this section is as follows:— "Where the intestate is survived, by child and net by spouse f of the residue shall vest in the child, ^ shall pass to the surviving parent and ^ shall pass in accordance with customary law. In the absence cf a surviving parent \ shall pass in accordance with customary law.
66 Section Nine
The Council feels that section nine should be deleted for the following reasons:— As it stands it requires that the parent prove his initial dependence on the deceased before he can claim further maintenance. This was felt to be distasteful and the following recommendation was put forward ; that the parents share should be guaranteed and not dependant on any proof of dependancy. That it may encourage a certain distasteful kind of litigation in which the parties setting up an adverse interest to the parent will have to prove that the deceased while living was undutiful to the parent.
Especially with regard to sub-section two of section nine, the onus will be on a child wishing to preserve his portion to prove that his parent never looked after his grandparent when alive, and that this is distasteful.
The Council hazards a guess that section nine sub-section one is based on the Fatal Accidents Provision of the Civil Liabilities Act and the Workmen's Compensation Act. While this may be acceptable in respect of compensation it is not necessarily so when it comes to the distribution of property of the deceased.
Sections Ten, Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen Found to be adequate as they stand in the draft.
Section Fourteen
Regarding this section this Council recommends that the amount be increased.
Section Fifteen The Council feels that the Law Reform Commission may periodically make proposals to the Commissioner responsible for Justice who may by Legislative Instrument vary the maximum value of the residue of the estate to which section fourteen of this decree applies.
Sections Sixteen and Seventeen These sections remain as they stand in the draft decree.
Section Eighteen Tho Council felt that it should be deleted for the following reasons:— (7) The specific reason confined to section eighteen is that the Council thinks it is undesirable for the court to decide whether or not a grandchild should succeed to the entitlement of the parents who have pre-deceased their parents and that the succession of such a grandchild should be automatic; (//) The more general reason is that the Council feels that the principle of treating a grandchild as if he were a child whenever they outlive their parents should be adopted throughout the decree, and that this has been provided for by a propos¬ ed addition to the definition of child (see section nineteen).
Section Nineteen This section deals with interpretations To the definition of "child" the following should be added:— "grandchild where a child pre-deceases the intestate". The definition of "household chattels" should be deleted and the following put in its place :— "all movable household articles used for domestic purposes including motor vehi¬ cles other than vehicles used wholly lor commercial purposes." "Rules of private international law" should read "includes such rules as determine the applicable rules of customary law between the parties."
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