Women urged to contest Local Government elections

Bechem (B/A), July 27, GNA - Mr. Michael Owusu Amoako, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Coordinating Director, on Friday urged women to contest the Local Government elections to contribute more towards shaping the development of the region.

He noted that women had peculiar qualities which if well harnessed could expand their role in development.

Mr. Amoako said this at the opening of a two-day workshop on capacity building organized by the National Council on Women and Development (NCWD) and sponsored by Action Aid Ghana for 35 assemblywomen drawn from the Tano, Asutifi and Asunafo Districts of Brong-Ahafo.

It was on the theme: "Women's Empowerment, the key to achieve the millennium goals."

He appealed to District Assemblies to motivate assembly members especially the women to enable them to contribute their quota to the developmental needs of their communities.

Mr Amoako also advised the Assemblywomen to form groups to seek financial assistance from the Government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to support projects in their area. The women should also develop self-confidence and commitment to work to motivate their unit committee members to give off their best in the initiation and implementing of projects.

Mrs. Mary Agyapong, a Lecturer at the Sunyani Polytechnic (S-POLY) appealed to the participants not only to respect people in their community but also to let transparency reflect in all their official activities especially those that had something to do with the community.

The assemblywomen should also try as to honour invitations by their communities for public educational forums and other public functions, adding that, such meetings could go a long way to maintain the cordial relationship existing between them and the community.

Mrs. Juliana Amponsah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Coordinator of the NCWD urged Ghanaian women to fight against domestic violence and early marriage by reporting such acts to the appropriate quarters and also ensure that their daughters had the opportunity for formal education. The participants appealed to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to provide them with means of transport to facilitate easy movement in their electoral areas.