The Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM), a gender-focused organization, held a memorial lecture today to honor the life of Mma Ayara Atampugre.
The event also served as a platform to call for government action on the ongoing struggles faced by widows and orphans in Ghana.
Highlighting the Plight of Widows:
Ms. Fati Abigail Abdulai, Executive Director of WOM, addressed the gathering of widows. She emphasized the significant challenges widows face, including financial hardship, emotional strain, and social isolation. Often, these difficulties force them to leave their children behind to find work, disrupting their education and well-being.
“Losing a spouse creates immense burdens for widows,” Ms. Abdulai said. “They are frequently left to fend for themselves and their children alone. This situation worsens their plight and deprives orphans of basic needs, including access to education.”
A Call to Action for Social Protection:
Ms. Abdulai urged the Ghanaian government to implement social protection and pro-poor policies. These programs, she argued, are essential to empower widows and ensure a brighter future for their children, particularly regarding access to education.
The Enduring Legacy of Mma Ayara Atampugre:
The memorial lecture honored Mma Ayara Atampugre, an orphan who later became a widow. Despite her own hardships, she displayed remarkable resilience in raising her children and contributing to society.
Her son, Mr. Robert Atampugre, recounted his mother’s life story. Born an orphan and later losing contact with her own mother, Mma Ayara faced challenges from a young age. As a housewife, she supported her husband on the farm and took on various odd jobs to help raise their children. Even defying her husband’s wishes, she enrolled all four of her children in school and covered their fees. Following her husband’s death, she persevered and ensured all her children received an education.
Professor Constance Awinpoka Akurugu, a speaker at the event, echoed the sentiment, encouraging widows to find inspiration in Mma Ayara’s story and prioritize their children’s education.
The event also included remarks from Madam Beatrice Saa, President of the Widows Network in the Upper East Region. She expressed gratitude to WOM for their continuous commitment to empowering widows and their families.
