United Nations Radio

African women

Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, the United Nations African Mothers Association is looking at ways it can extend its reach. Marsha Branch reports:

Marsha: UNAMA, as it is called, was started as a response to the mid-eighties famine in Ethiopia. It is a non-profit, non-political and humanitarian organization started by the wives of African ambassadors and other interested parties. UNAMA's main objective is to offer assistance to women and children in Africa suffering from the effects of extreme poverty.

I sat down with Eva Forson of Ghana, the organisation's Vice President, to find out some of the things UNAMA has accomplished in its 25 year existence and their plans going forward.

Forson: I must say that the one project that I am very proud about is in Ghana, where I come from. This is a micro-lending project. It was started by this lady, an American, who decided that, when she retired, she would go to Africa to do something for African women. So she started with very little money, 50 dollars. But you know 50 dollars equivalent in Africa is a lot. So if you repay your money within a certain amount of time, you would come back for more. The aim is for these women one day to walk to the commercial banks and ask for big loans. So, I'm so proud about that, and I'm looking forward to replicating this in other countries in Africa.

Branch: And of course with the correct mentoring, these women can watch the development of their businesses and in turn employ more women. And, it is a cycle of growth.

Forson: Exactly! Exactly! The women only employ women. They employ men to do the heavy lifting (LAUGHTER). But all other little things that they need people to do, it's women that they employ. And, they have even started giving scholarships to girls who do well in school. And a few months ago, the girls were taken to the University of Ghana, so they could see the prospects ahead of them, and they were so surprised that anything like this could happen to them in the future.

Branch: Where do you see UNAMA in another 25 years on the celebration of its 50th anniversary?

Forson: I can see UNAMA, 50 years in the future, very well known in Africa, and a big organization in the UN system.

Narrator: Eva Forson, Vice President of UNAMA, the United Nations African Mothers Association, was interviewed by UN Radio's Marsha Branch.

Producer: Marsha Branch
Duration: 2'37"