The leadership and ordinary members of the Kejetia Dubai Traders Association in Kumasi have appealed to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, to count on the leadership qualities of Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare and choose her as his running mate.
According to the traders, they could count on the Chief of Staff to deliver as Dr Bawumia’s lieutenant and partner to secure the Presidency for the NPP in the December elections.
In an encounter with the media last Friday, the group said women must be well represented in government and that the choice of Madam Frema Osei-Opare as Dr Bawumia’s running would adequately address this requirement.
Mr Kwame Yeboah alias Kwame NPP, chairman of the Kejetia Dubai Traders Association, pleaded with the flagbearer not to look beyond Madam Frema Osei-Opare, who has the interest of women at heart.
He said the Chief of Staff is an advocate of the Affirmative Action Bill that seeks to provide gender parity in Ghanaian politics.The bill aims to increase women’s participation in decision making positions and that at least 40% of public offices be reserved for them.
“Her role in pushing that the Bill passed into law makes her the best qualified to partner the flagbearer besides the Ashanti factor in the choice of a running mate”, the chairman stressed.
Mr Kwame Yeboah noted that Madam Frema Osei-Opare has always championed the cause of traders and women being the most populous (18 million – about 51%) of the Ghanaian populace for which she must be empowered to represent women in government to further contribute to the forward march of the country.
Kwame NPP also referred to Madam Osei-Opare’s exploits at the Presidency as the Chief of Staff over the past seven and half years, which has positioned her as the best bet for the NPP ticket.
Madam Adiza Yakubu and Agya Owusu, both members of the association, said Madam Frema Osei-Opare is a role model for the Ghanaian woman and a pacesetter who has contributed to the success story of the Akufo-Addo-led administration.
“She is dedicated to the welfare of women generally and has, on countless occasions, provided relief to hard-pressed women in critical situations,” the advocates stressed and pleaded with the flagbearer and the top hierarchy of the party to consider her choice in the best interest of the party in order to break ‘the 8’.
Adiza Yakubu mentioned that Madam Frema Osei-Opare’s active involvement in the effective running of government machinery in her capacity as the first female Chief of Staff saw to the effective implementation of social intervention policies over the last seven years and deserves to be celebrated. According to them, Madam Frema Osei-Opare has used her own resources to provide solace for distressed members of the public, particularly women.
