The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Sagnarigu Idrrisu Mariam has asked that women be given equal opportunities to participate in decision making. According to her most of the decision made in the country are geared towards the development of women hence the need for them to be considered.
She said women constitute more than half of Ghana’s population (51.2%) and without their participation in the public discourse or decision making process, it would be difficult for Ghana to achieve sustainable development.
This according to her can be attributed to male dominance which is a key aspect of the Ghanaian social system. Madam Mariam was speaking in an interview with Zaa news at a capacity building workshop for female aspirants for 2020 district level elections in Tamale, organized by the Institute of local government in collaboration with NALAG.
The promotion of Gender Equality and women’s empowerment was the third goal set out in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) but also one of the goals that evaded the world, including Ghana.
Women are still very much at the margin of political, economic and social decisions and rely most often on decisions made by others regarding their lives.
In spite of efforts by Governments both in the past and present as well as civil society organizations, women’s participation in political leadership in Ghana is still very low compared to other African countries.
Madam Mariam could not understand why most of the few women representatives at assemblies are not proactive, adding that the women are afraid of contributing to discussions during assembly cessions, but encouraged women to speak out and perform their duties diligently even in the mist of their male counterparts.
The MCE also challenged women representatives at all levels to be up to the task and as well build their confidence level.
BY: LILIAN WALTER
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