Peaceful elections should concern all – COWIGS

Participants at a recent seminar have called on all stakeholders to consolidate the country’s constitutional rule by contributing to ensure greater women’s participation in politics and help guarantee peace in the coming elections.

Participants also stressed on the need for followers of political parties to work together and co-exist as one people belonging to one nation.

The two-day seminar in Obuasi which was attended by chiefs, queen mothers, religious and political leaders, was under the theme “consolidating Ghana’s 20 years of constitutional rule-the role of traditional rulers, religious leaders and party executives”.

Among the political parties whose representatives attended the seminar organized by the Obuasi Chapter of Coalition of Women in Governance (COWIGS), were the NDC, CPP, NPP, PNC and PPP.

Mrs Christian Kagya, the Chairperson of COWIGS, said women were by nature competent organizers, planners and initiators who could offer the necessary leadership to help bring development to their communities.

She appealed to traditional rulers, especially the queens, to support and encourage women candidates in this year’s general elections and called on Nananom to advise their subjects to avoid all acts that could create violence.

Mrs Kagya called on religious leaders to use the pulpit to condemn utterances and behaviors that had the potential to create violence and disorder.

She said it was also important for political parties to help eliminate all forms of discrimination against women based on political opinions and gender.

Mr. Seth Frimpong, the Project Officer for Obuasi COWIGS, said the essence of women participation in both local and national politics cannot be ignored and called on opinion leaders to champion the crusade against gender discrimination.

He appealed to traditional leaders to offer the same courtesies to all political parties who might pay visits to their palaces saying “accept all parties and that would even enhance the peace process”.**