ASPIRING WOMEN MPS URGED TO ADOPT EFFECTIVE CAMPAIGN
From Sebastian R. Freiku, Kumasi
WOMEN ASPIRING to become parliamentarians have been urged to remain steadfast and adopt effective campaign messages to win votes.
Mr. Barima Akwasi Amankwah, Programmes Officer of the Ghana Non-Governmental Organization coalition on the rights of the Child (GNCRC) said women parliamentary aspirants must be more persuasive and to clearly articulate what they were bringing to the table.
He described as unacceptable the under-representation of women in parliament saying this has to improve.
Even though they constitute about 51% of the population, there are only 20 (6.8%) of them representing women in the nation’s 230-member parliament.
Mr. Amankwaah was speaking at the stakeholders’ workshop for some women who have put themselves up for this year‘s general elections in Kumasi.
It was organized by the Environmental Protection Association of Ghana (EPAG), an NGO with funding by the African Women’s Developing fund under the theme: “Increasing women’s participation in politics and decision-making process”.
He asked them to also demonstrate qualities of self-discipline, dignity, affability, and good inter-personal relations.
Madam Aba Oppong of the Centre of Developing of People (CEDEP) advised them to be bold in presenting their campaign messages to the people and help bring decency into the country’s politics by avoiding the taunts and insults that had come to be associated with electioneering.
Dr. John Kwadwo Owusu, Executive Director of the EPAG, the workshop formed part of support programme lined up for the women.
Nana Darko Montwi II, Omanhene of Maabang, appealed to the media to give fair coverage to their campaigns.
The aspirants and their political parties were presented with some campaign stickers, ‘T’ shirts and posters.
In a related development, Mr. Barima Akwasi Amankwaah, Programmed Officer, Ghana Non Governmental Organization Coalition on the Rights of the Child (GNCRC), has urged members of the child protection committees (CPC) at a day’s stakeholders meeting at Kokoado in the Bosomtwe District, to step up public education on the rights of children, particularly, girls.
They (CPC) need to do more to help check the abuses including physical violence against the girl child.
The pragramme, which brought together chiefs, assembly members and CPC members from three communities including Kuntanase, Aputuogya and Pease, was organized by the Environmental Protection Association of Ghana (FPAG) to discuss ways of assisting girls and young women to become more assertive.
The theme was: “Promoting equal rights and opportunities for girls and young women”.
The five- year “Girl power Project “is being founded by the Netherlands Embassy in Accra.
Mr. Amankwaah appealed to the community leaders to make deliberate efforts to tackle issues inhibiting the development of women and children.
Mr. John Kwadwo Owusu, Executive Director of the EPAG, said the project is meant to help promote girls education and fight rural poverty.
It has targeted between 3,000 and 4,000 girls and young women for support in their pursuit of academic careers.
He said if well implemented, it would significantly improve and empower women to become part of decision-making in their communities.
Mr. Edward Nti Breko, the District Chief Executive, said the development of the girl-child was a priority of the Assembly.
Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=48074