Ghanaian Officer Wins Prestigious Award for Gender Advocacy in Peacekeeping

Ghanaian Officer Wins Prestigious Award for Gender Advocacy in Peacekeeping

Squadron Leader Sharon Saim, a Ghanaian officer, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Military Gender Advocate Award for her outstanding contribution to gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping. The award is a testament to her dedication, courage, and skill in promoting gender equality and inclusion in peacekeeping operations.

The award is not only a recognition of Saim’s individual achievement but also a reflection of the Ghana Armed Forces’ commitment to gender mainstreaming. The Ghana Armed Forces has been championing a larger vision of inclusion and diversity, which is fundamental to effective leadership and conflict resolution.

This is the second time a Ghanaian officer has received this award, with Captain Ezra being the first recipient in 2022. The Ghana Armed Forces deserves a round of applause for producing two award-winning officers in a short span.

The Honorable Minister for Defense, Dr. Edward Oman-Ebu Ama, and the military high command presented Saim with a citation yesterday at Burma Camp. This gesture indicates that recognition of gender advocacy should not only come from abroad but can also be celebrated proudly at home.

Saim’s achievement is an inspiration to future generations, especially young ladies, to envision themselves as leaders in spaces where their forebears were once excluded. Gender mainstreaming ensures that every community affected by conflict has advocates who understand their unique needs and strengths.

The Ghana Armed Forces has shown that it leads with empathy, vision, and inclusiveness through officers like Saim. Her achievement is a beacon of progress and possibility, and she has made all Ghanaians proud.

According to Afua Ansre, UN Women Senior Gender Specialist, this achievement highlights the importance of promoting gender equality and inclusion in peacekeeping operations.

The event was made possible through collaboration between the Ghana Armed Forces and the United Nations Information Center, ably led by Cynthia. The military high command, led by the Chief of Defense Staff, Lieutenant General William Azanu Akyeampong, extended a special appreciation to the United Nations Information Center for their support.

Story by Fada Amakye from Daily Sun online