Nana Konadu criticises Women's Ministry

New Ningo -- Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, former First Lady on Saturday criticised the creation of a Women's Ministry by the NPP government saying the United Nations (UN) in 1995 made it clear that such an idea was not feasible.

Nana Agyeman Rawlings, who is also the President of the 31st December Women's Movement said according to the UN, it was better to ensure women's representation at the various ministerial levels to cater for women's issues.

She was speaking at a get-together, organised by the Ningo-Prampram constituency branch of the NDC at New Ningo on Saturday.

The feasting, which was blended with the traditional "Kpanlogo" Music and speeches of encouragement was organised to thank supporters in the constituency for voting massively for the NDC in the recent elections.

On criticisms that she was interfering in government as the former First Lady, Nana Konadu said she was only supporting her husband, as she did not believe in idling simply because she was married to the President.

She said the opportunity to serve one's people may come once in one's lifetime and "I decided to serve Ghanaian women through the 31st December Women's Movement, which built a lot of day-care centres and provided income generating ventures for women."

"The DWM as an NGO will continue with its work in line with the principle of ensuring improved lives for deprived women," she stressed.

Nana Konadu called on the NPP government not to destroy the achievements of the NDC, which inherited empty coffers, but left behind a good image for the NPP to inherit.

She said during the 20 years rule of former President Jerry John Rawlings, 80 percent of Ghanaians gained access to water from a record low of 16 percent, while electricity supply increased from 20 percent to 95 percent of the population.

Over 2.3 million children are now in primary school because more schools were put up. She said the youth who voted against the NDC especially between the age of 18 to 30 years knew only the Rawlings administration and had no basis for comparison, since they do not know what Ghana was like before Rawlings came to power.

Nana Konadu assured NDC supporters that the party is re-organising to come back to power and advised them to bury their differences to strengthen the party.

Mr E.T. Mensah, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, criticised the NPP for not ensuring regional and ethnic balance in the selection of persons for Ministerial positions but favoured only Akans.

He also accused President John Agyekum Kufuor of playing double standards by condemning coup d'?tat, but flirting with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Gnyansigbe Eyadema of Togo and President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Fasso, who all became heads of state through military coups.