Webmaster's sister seeks election to district assembly

IN VYING for election in the Sikafoambantem electoral area to the district assembly, a renowned midwife and a gender advocate for freedom and equal rights for women and children, Madam Jemima Adi Akoto, 53, has spoken out.

She stated that the electorate should critically examine the backgrounds of candidates contesting the forthcoming district assembly elections before venturing to vote for them.

The midwife observed that the district assembly is the local parliament and should, therefore, be composed of tested and upright representatives who are approachable, have initiative and are development-oriented.

In response as to why she chose to contest with three other men, she remarked that many people in her electoral area, including some opinion leaders, in appreciation of her capabilities and service, approached her to stand, and with a little encouragement from her husband, she willingly obliged.

Madam Akoto who currently runs a full-time maternity home and clinic at Sikafoambantem No 1, Takoradi, has been a unit committee member for nearly four years and has helped mobilised funds through toll-collection from the community place of convenience to purchase 100 plastic chairs for use during community meetings.

She mentioned that as a professional nurse-midwife, she has arranged with her colleagues from Takoradi hospital to conduct child-welfare clinics in her maternity home, and this has gone down well with the women and children in her electoral area as well as those from Amanful and Top Ten in Takoradi.

Madam Akoto, chairperson of the Western regional branch of Ghana Registered Midwives Association, added that when elected she would use her vast experience and knowledge in health and sanitation and community development to resolve various problems and issues confronting her electoral area.

?With the current HIV and AIDS menace and immorality among the youth, I will have to mobilise resources and my people to intensify both education and sensitisation programmes and to ensure that the electoral area is adequately developed?.

She intimated that since the cluster of schools in the area has no library, she would urge some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and embassies as well philanthropists provide the schools with a well-stocked library to inculcate reading habits in the children.

She is currently caring for two orphans, a boy of four and a girl of one and a half years.

According to Madam Akoto, the girl was put under her care when the mother died immediately after giving birth.

As regards the boy, he was brought to her by the authorities of Kwesimintsim Polyclinic, near Takoradi.

She said most people were skeptical about the orphans? survival because of their frail conditions when they were brought to her.

Madam Akoto concluded that ?my hobbies include the rehabilitation of children with love, but I hate child abuse and female slavery?.