Obuasi: A group of women working within the cocoa and mining value chains in Ghana has called for equal opportunities in employment roles, urging that job assignments should be based on competence rather than gender. The demand emerged during a training workshop on gender and social inclusions in negotiations within the cocoa and mining value chain held in Obuasi, Ashanti Region. According to Ghana News Agency, the workshop was organized by the Center for Public Interest Law (CEPIL) with support from OXFAM, and it brought together women leaders from Obuasi East, Obuasi West, and Adansi South Districts. Nana Ama Odwira, a local leader from Adanse-Adumanu, highlighted during the event that the era when women were relegated to low-level jobs due to perceived lack of technical expertise, particularly in artisanal and small-scale mining, has passed. "We equally can do better, we have what it takes to do the task," Odwira stated. The program aimed to address issues of gender-based discrimination and stigmatizatio n in the sector. Madam Louisa Amoah, Executive Director of Girls Shall Grow, pointed out the challenges women face, including stigmatization when expressing their views on cocoa farming and mining. She emphasized the need for women to maintain decorum while seeking fair treatment and redress in the industry. Mr. Augustine Niber, Executive Director of CEPIL, reiterated the organization's commitment to advocating for the rights of marginalized communities through legal support and active engagement. He expressed concern that despite Ghana's rich mineral resources, the country has yet to translate this wealth into sustainable economic growth, affecting vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons living with disabilities. Participants at the training were educated on various topics, including understanding gender concepts and the role of women-led civil society organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) in advocating for the representation of marginalized groups in decision-making and fair negotiations to hold private sector actors accountable.