Choose a female running mate

Bolgatanga (U/E), Aug. 29, GNA - The Upper East Regional Branch of the New Ghanaian Movement (NGM), a political think tank, on Friday called on Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama, the flag bearer of the People's National Convention (PNC) to choose a female as running mate for election 2008.

At a press conference in Bolgatanga, Mr Emmanuel Alangtura, NGM Regional Secretary said the importance of women's contribution to the development of a nation couldn't be over emphasized, adding, "Ghana's women have distinguished themselves in various spheres of life and this is very glaring for everyone to see".

Mr Alangtura said for Ghana to move to a new level, there is the need for women to be incorporated into the day to day running of this nation.

He said the days when women were relegated to the background in terms of decision-making in politics were gone..."Politicians make policies, policies shape lives and women are good policy makers". The NGM Upper East Regional Secretary commended the PNC for drafting an elaborate policy on women in their manifesto adding; "the decision by the PNC to allocate 50 percent of its ministerial positions to women when voted into power was a welcome idea and should be sealed by the selection of a woman as running mate".

Mr Alangtura said it was unfortunate that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) failed to choose a female running mate, stressing that, women in positions tend to make issues of high interest their priority in every country. "All over the world, attention is being turned to women and Ghana must not be left out in this. "Great women like Mrs Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia, Mrs Gloria Aroyo, Philippine President, Ms Condoleeza Rice, U.S Secretary of State, Mrs Angela Merkel, German Chancellor, Mrs Hilary Clinton, former fist lady in the United States and the rest who have made a mark in world politics".

The NGM noted that Mrs Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, Member of Council of State, Mrs Bertty Mould Iddrisu, an accomplished lawyer and Ms Joyce Aryee, Executive Director of Ghana National Chamber of Commerce, have all shown outstanding and sterling performance in their areas of endeavors and could be considered by Dr Mahama as running mates. Mr Alangtura also used the opportunity to call on all Northerners to desist from political violence and all kinds of conflicts. "Politics is about jaw jaw and not war.

"Some people of the North have allowed themselves to be used by politicians for far too long and this must stop". The movement condemned the violence by NDC and NPP parties during the just ended voter registration exercise and urged other political parties to emulate the PNC, which has so far engaged in politics of peace and honesty.