The Upper West Region Female Traditional Leaders Association has expressed dismay over the non-inclusion of women from the shortlist of candidates for consideration for Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) positions for the region.
Eight (8) women were part of a total of 165 candidates vetted by a committee for consideration for the eleven (11) MMDCE positions for the Upper West Region. All eight women who applied for the positions were excluded from the thirty-three shortlisted candidates.
The Upper West Region Female Traditional Leaders Association, represented by Boli Pognaa Hajia Pognaa Afisata Salia at a press conference, expressed their concerns regarding the complete absence of women among the shortlisted names.
“We have however, noted with dismay a widely circulated shortlist of successful candidates vetted for the positions of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Upper West Region, dated January 29, 2025, which entirely excludes the eight courageous women who stepped forward for consideration.
“We acknowledge with a sigh that the appointment of MMDCEs is the prerogative of the President. We, however, find it deeply concerning that not a single woman was deemed fit for consideration,” the statement added.
They emphasized that this lack of female representation calls into question the inclusivity of the selection process.
“This raises serious questions about the inclusivity of the selection process and the commitment to ensuring fair representation of women at the local level.”
The female traditional leaders argued that the exclusion of women in the shortlisted candidates slows down the realization of the targets of the Affirmative Action Law, particularly in the Upper West Region.
They appealed to President Mahama to as a matter of necessity review the selection criteria to include women among the shortlisted for appointment as MMDCEs.
They also appealed to the President to consider appointing at least 30% of women, as government appointees into the Municipal and District Assemblies.
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