NGO holds workshop for women aspirants

A non-governmental organisation has called for a new constitution that would provide for the nomination, election and appointment of 50 per cent men and 50 per cent women to all nominated, appointed and elected positions to the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies and the unit committees.

Ms Gloria Ofori-Boadu, the President of Women’s Assistance and Business Association (WABA), said this at a one day workshop organised to build the capacity of aspiring female members of district assemblies in the Brong-Ahafo and Ashanti regions.

He said if more than 80 per cent of employment and more than 70 per cent of the cash in Ghana “are in the informal sector and this sector is dominated by women then the functions of the district assembly, which is to mobilize resources for the overall development of the district, is for  women”.

“The function of the district assembly is a feminine function, which the women of Ghana have been socialized to perform as part of their daily chores and it makes serious and relevant economic sense for Ghana as a state to take extra steps to involve women,” she said.

Madam Juliana Amponsah, a deputy director of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, said the involvement of women in decision making accelerated growth, development and sustained peace in every society.

She expressed regret about discrimination against women and said this could be removed through constant training and education of women on issues pertinent to democracy.

Ms Freda Prempeh, assembly member in La in Accra, took the women through campaign research, campaign planning, their message to the people and how they could raise funds.

Source: GNA