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The days when the first lady position in Africa was a figurine of glamor, fascination and taking positions beside the president is gradually becoming a thing of the past.

First ladies were not seen in active roles in governance and development but were rather a figure of beauty and glamour attends functions beside their husbands.

This acuity is gradually revolving. First ladies are now taking challenging roles and influencing decisions with their office, espousing initiatives to drive the agenda of growth towards the betterment of citizens across.

This effort is to compliment the work of the president and must therefore be emulated across Africa.

Executive Director of Time to Shine Ministries, Mercy Balogun made these observations during the Global Women Economic and Social Women Empowerment Summit held in Accra. The summit brought women across Africa from various sectors to dialogue on the growth of women over the period and interchange on possible roadmap to create opportunities for women across Africa.  

Mercy Balogun added that, one’s women know what they are about, they do it well. ‘’Over the years women have not been allowed to be themselves, they are noted to be care takers of the house, ones we know what we are about, we do it well’’

Touching on the progress of the African woman and education, Mercy Balogun observed a worrying trend in many African settings where educating and investing in women is considered a waste of resources not only by men but by some women as well, ‘’Education for women appeared to be money and time wasting; women were rather encouraged to learn a trade and get married as designed.’’ Noticing that this perception though steadily changing must be pushed out totally.   

This according to her has placed women in awkward places away from their rightful places to effecting the growth and development of women.

‘’Today’s woman however is wise enough and gradually taking their rightful positions. ‘’Now that women know what is expected of them, they can now impact on the change needed for their growth. Our minds are now renewed to appreciate bigger and competitive opportunities.

The first lady of Sierra Leone H.E Mrs. Fatima Jabbe Maada-Bio urged first ladies to play active roles beside their husbands; she encouraged them to push their husbands to ensure rapid development and advocacy at every level in their respective regions.

Expressing her concern about how Africa is lacking behind due to our decisions taking process made on our behalf.  She urged African leaders ensure that the years of having foreigners determine our pace of development and managing our resource must come to an end.

‘’The African continent has a long way to go in terms of development; we cannot keep sitting down and allowing foreigners to determine what percent of our own resources should be given to us.’’  This must be discouraged starting with we as women’’, she added.

‘’The African continent has been blessed with many resources and its about time to build industries to manage our resources’’. She stressed.