Government challenged to appoint more women in cabinet

Participants at a stakeholders meeting in Bolgatanga had challenged government to consider the appointment of more women to occupy key positions into cabinet. They were of the view that if women were given leadership positions and are made to be actively part of the decision making process, matters affecting their livelihood would be critically resolved. Representation and appointment of more women in government, they noted, would mean that Ghana was at the cross-road of achieving remarkable gains in the country’s democratic dispensation. Women they further observed are ripped to assume enviable positions in society as evident in the election of women in parliament and other influential positions of government including the seat of the Speaker of Parliament which is being occupied by Her Lordship, Joyce Adeline Bamford Addo. According them since Mrs Bamford Addo has performed creditably in her appointment as speaker of parliament, government should ensure that her exit is replaced by a woman instead of a man. Moreover, more women should be appointed as Municipal and District Chief Executives for the region. These recommendations were made during a focal group discussion attended by some women drawn from various departments and agencies in the region including past and present assembly women, queen-mothers as well as representatives of women right NGOs among others. The meeting under theme: “The Status of Women in Ghana: A Case Study of their Socio-Economic and Political Participation in Development” was jointly organized by the NCCE and the Department of Women. A communiqué at the end of the meeting was issued with several recommendations made to government. The communiqué signed by Head of Programs at the Regional NCCE Office, Peter Ayamga charged government to create rooms for more women to occupy key positions in government. It said women involvement in the decision making process would contribute immensely to addressing the numerous challenges affecting their wellbeing. A well carried out research, the communiqué stated suggest that women elevation to assuming leadership positions in cabinet would ensure balance and equity in the country’s decision making process considering their vast potential in managing the affairs of their families at the household level. The communiqué implored government to consider appointing a woman as Regional Minister for the Upper East Region since the position has become vacant following the election of Mr.  Woyongo as MP for Navrongo Central.  More women, it further suggested, should be appointed as board members in corporate institutions and agencies. The communiqué was hopeful that with more women in key governmental positions, the decision making process of the country would be improved for the better.

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