Dean at the Department of Studies and Research of Institute of Local Government Studies, Frederick Agyarko Oduro has bemoaned the low representation of women in decision-making process in the country.
Out of the 16 regional ministers, only 2 are women even though women constitute a greater population of the country.
A survey by the institute revealed that only 647 of the 9,000 assembly members in the country are women.
The gender disparity according to Mr. Agyarko if not tackled poses a threat to Ghana’s quest in attaining the Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equally by 2030.
Speaking to A1 News in Bolgatanga during a day’s engagement with some selected Assembly Women as well as women who are aspiring to become members of the assemblies in Upper East Region, Mr. Agyarko referred to Ethiopia and Rwanda as classical examples of progressing countries where women are allowed to rise up the ladder.
He believes if we have more women in responsible positions of our governance system, we can reduce corruption which is said to be endemic in this country.
He stressed the need for policy makers in Ghana to put in place necessary steps that will allow majority of women to enter the public space; especially in terms of political positions.
“We’ve done this for many years; it’s not helped us. Why do we keep on thinking that only men are capable of taking the decisions? We need to have more women in responsible and decision making roles and it can only be good for us as a people.” He emphasized.
The nationwide training which is organized by the Institute of Local Government Studies and National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) seeks to build the capacity of women to enable them contest in the upcoming District Level Elections in December this year.
NALAG National Women’s Caucus Representative, Hajia Mariama Iddrisu who doubles as Municipal Chief Executive for Sagnarigu said the issue of financial constrains deters many women who are competent enough to take up leadership roles.
According to her “We have it as a duty to ensure that women are encouraged to participate in our local elections. Apart from encouraging them, you need to resource them; you need to assist them to have the means to be able to contest. For all you know, most women out there have the will, courage and boldness to contest for elections but the financial constraints pull them backwards.”
Hajia Mariama added that “We need to see how we can work with organizations that are gender sensitive, organizations that are willing to see more women in political participation; so that we can support them print posters, support them to do home visitation or what we call door to door campaign. These things are deterrent to women when it comes to politics but when they are attended to, I strongly believe we will move a step forward in ensuring that we have increased number of women at the local level; and even at the upcoming elections of MMDCEs.
Source; a1radioonline.com|101.1MHZ|Ghana|
