The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has shown women Municipal and District Chief Executive (DCE) aspirants in the Upper West Region “red card” after the shortlisted aspirants in the region excluded women.
A total of eight females out of 165 aspirants in the region had filed to be considered for the MDCE positions in five districts and municipalities.
They were: Mary Haruna and Millicent Zuuri in the Nadowli-Kaleo District; Mary Zimaal and Cecilia Soyelleh, Lawra Municipal; Pognaa Cecilia Tier, Nandom Municipal; Mercy Bisunkaana Nyame and Helen Tanlugu, Sissala East Municipal; and Basi Braimah Mumuni, Sissala West District.
However, the shortlisted aspirants in the region released by the NDC party in a statement signed by Charles Lwanga Puozuing (Esq), the party's Regional Secretary, indicated that all the three aspirants selected from each district for onward submission to the Presidency for selection were males.
That followed a four-day rigorous vetting process for all the 165 aspirants in the region by a ten-member team constituted by the party.
This could be described as a “stub” on the back of women in the region since the decision of the vetting committee indicated that none of the eight women aspirants was qualified to be MMDCE.
Meanwhile, the NDC, in its 2024 election manifesto, said it will “Mandate a minimum 30 per cent quota for women in all political appointments.”
Professor Robert Yennah, the Chairperson of EODF In Action, a gender-sensitive organisation, in an interview with Info Radio, expressed concern about the decision of the vetting committee to exclude females from the shortlisted aspirants especially since the NDC had a target for women representation in its government.
He said the target should not only be applied to ministerial appointments but all appointments in the country including the regional and district levels.
“Those in charge of the appointments should take a second look at that (the shortlisted aspirants) and ensure that women also have a place in our politics.
At least when it (the shortlisted aspirants) goes to the Presidency this kind of lopsided situation should be questioned and rectified”, Prof. Yennah stated.
Considering the country’s quest to achieve gender parity by 2030 as provided by the Affirmative Action and Gender Equity Act, 2024 (Act 1121), one would have thought that the vetting committee would have considered competent women who had expressed interest in heading some District and Municipal Assemblies in the region.
President John Dramani Mahama had exhibited a commitment to involving competent women in his government with the appointment of women into key positions within his government.
With Ghana’s Vice President also being a woman, the vetting committee and leadership of the NDC in the Upper West Region should have taken a cue to consider competent women who had presented themselves for the MDCE positions.
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