According to global estimates put out by UN Women we will not reach gender equality in the highest  positions of power for another 130 years. Across the world, the Government of the United Kingdom (UK) works with other nations and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to hold Ambassador for a Day competitions. In Ghana, the British High Commission in partnership CAMFED, Plan International  Ghana, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched their own  Ambassador for a Day competition in February.  The Ambassador for a Day competition provides winners with an opportunity to  spend a day with a full-time Ambassador. Each winner will also receive long-term  mentoring and care from the Mission they work with. 

Together British High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson, Norwegian Ambassador,  Ingrid Mollestad, French Ambassador Jules Armand Aniambossou and Swiss  Ambassador Simone Giger have spent the last month reviewing the applications  before deciding on four winners. Congratulating the winners, British High Commissioner Harriet Thompson  said: "Today of course we celebrate our amazing winners, but we also  celebrate every single woman who applied, we celebrate our incredible  partners: CAMFED, Plan International Ghana and UNFPA, and we  celebrate women and girls the length and breadth of this country. This  competition reminds us of the need for equity, the need to create space  for equality so that men and women around the world can stand shoulder to-shoulder. 

“This year we celebrate Ambassador for a Day as the UK launches a new  Women and Girls Strategy, putting gender equality firmly at the centre of  everything we do.” The competition, which is now in its second year, forms part of the British High  Commission’s ‘Africa Gender and Equalities Month’. Throughout March the Mission  is marking and celebrating gender and equality by holding roundtables and  seminars, sharing the work of partners and holding discussions to interrogate, learn  from and understand more about gender and equality in today’s Ghana.  

Speaking ahead of the event Norwegian Ambassador, Ingrid Mollestad said: “Together, we believe the programme will help to bridge the gender  inequality gap, and support the empowerment of women in Ghana. I am excited about spending the day with one of the inspiring winners,  congratulations to them all.” 

Today (Friday 17th March), the four winners: Wilhelmina Larweh, Tipagya  Yahaya, Umar Wasila and Martha Allotey, will join the four Ambassadors and  representatives from CAMFED, Plan International and UNFPA at the British  High Commissioner’s Residence in Accra to formally announce the winners and  celebrate their success.  

Ahead of the award, winner of the competition Yahaya Shekuratu Tipagya said; "As an Ambassador for a Day, I have a strong desire to learn from  experienced diplomats, thrive in a fast-paced and challenging environment, and develop skills that will contribute to my education and  career.’’Another winner Umar Wasila also said; “During my shadowing experience, I am hopeful to learn about the  Ambassador's role, understand what an Ambassador does and the day to  day functions at the High Commission-’’ 

Notes to Editors  

The Ambassador for a Day is a competition that provides a platform for marginalised  young women to become leaders and advocates for change. They will have the  opportunities to voice their opinions and share their ideas on how a gender-equal  future can be shaped. 

Winners  

∙ Wilhelmina Lawerh-Lawerh 

∙ Tipagya Yahaya  

∙ Umar Wasila  

∙ Martha Allotey 

About UNFPA 

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency with a mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and  every young person's potential is fulfilled.

About CAMFED 

CAMFED is a pan-African organisation revolutionising how girls’ education is  delivered.

About Plan International Ghana 

Plan International has been working in Ghana to support children, particularly the  most marginalised, to exercise their rights for more than 25 years.

Media Contacts 

UNFPA | Jean-Philip Lawson | jlawson@unfpa.org

British High Commission, Accra | Matthew Yartey | matthew.yartey@fcdo.gov.uk