Christian and Muslim women leaders and Queenmothers have been urged to strengthen collaboration and empower women and girls to drive national development.

Rev. Prof. Johnson Mbillah, Director of the Centre for Interfaith Studies and Engagement in Africa (CISEA) at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture, said women across faiths must embrace a common identity and work beyond religious differences.

He made the call at the Faith To Action Women’s Conference (FAWC) 2025, held at the Presbyterian Women’s Centre at Abokobi, on the theme: “Strengthening the Role of Women in the Family,

Community and the Wider Society: The Religio-Cultural Dimension.”

Rev. Prof. Mbillah said the conference sought to inspire women leaders to translate their religious beliefs into practical action for peace and development.

He noted that women were capable of attaining any developmental goal or leadership position, citing Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as a clear example.

Rev. Prof. Mbillah urged participants to draw inspiration from the Vice President’s achievements and channel their energies into empowering both women and the girl child.

He stressed that discussions about the future must centre on young people, adding that building the next generation should begin now to prepare them for a complex world.

“The programme has a strong focus on the girl child and women as we move forward,” he said.

The three-day conference featured speeches, presentations and group discussions aimed at sharing experiences and addressing women’s issues in interfaith relations and national development.

Participants examined ways of strengthening women’s leadership in families, communities and society through religio-cultural cooperation.

The FAWC, which has been held annually for the past 13 years, has influenced the lives of women from diverse religious backgrounds and several countries.

The conference also created a platform for reflection, engagement and proposed action to accelerate women’s active and transformative participation in society.