NPP women defy party orders, hold rally

Accra, Nov. 17 GNA - The Women's Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Friday defied all party warnings and held a mammoth rally to shore-up the dwindling support among women in the party.

The group led by NPP strong women, Ms Vida Dugbartey, Greater Accra Women's Organiser and Madam Amerley Tagoe, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister went ahead with the rally despite calls from party officials to call off the programme because they did not go through party structures for holding a rally.

The rally, which was attended by hundreds of NPP women dressed in party colours clothes and paraphernalia jumped and sang party songs backed by brass band music.

Addressing the women, Dr Gladys Norley Ashitey, Deputy Minister of Health called on the women to register with the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) in order to enjoy the benefits under the programme.

She said the NHIS was a policy intended to help cater for poor and vulnerable people in the society as well as women and children who could not afford the cash and carry system.

She urged the women to take advantage of the capitation grant to send their children to school since they are not required to pay any fees at the basic school level.

Ms Gifty Konadu, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and President's Special Initiative (PSI) called on the women to take advantage of the various micro-finance programmes initiated by the government to promote their businesses.

She said the programmes were spread throughout the districts and urged women to register in their areas to source the funds. Ms Vida Dugbartey, addressing the crowd explained that the government's policy on women and children had gone a long way to alleviate the hardships the women faced.

She urged the women not to be swayed by the propaganda of the opponents of the government but rather remained focus in their chosen occupation.

The Executive Committee of the Greater Accra NPP said the rally organized by Ms Vida Dugbartey and Madam Theresa Ameley Tagoe under the auspices of the NPP Women's Wing was not approved by the party. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Mr Sammy Crabbe, Regional Chairman of NPP said the party would take on the women internally for failing to follow laid down procedures to organize such a programme. 17 Nov. 06