The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs has reiterated the call on political parties seeking to contest the bye-election for the Chereponi Constituency Parliamentary seat in the Northern Region to nominate women as candidates for the election which has been scheduled for 29th September, 2009.

This call is in line with a communiqué signed by representatives of political parties at a high level workshop on the theme “Political Party’s Strategy for Developing Female Candidates and National Elections” organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (I.E.A) with support of the Canadian High Commission at Akosombo in June this year. The political parties in the communiqué called for the establishment of a voluntary quota of 30 per cent positions for women in the administration of the parties, the selection of parliamentary candidates and the appointment of District Chief Executives as a means of promoting women’s empowerment.

The parties, comprising the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the People’s National Convention (PNC) also called for special measures by the Executive in the short term to initiate and support the passage of specific legislation on a mandatory quota system in the medium to long term.

We believe the time has come for the political parties to show their commitment to the spirit and letter of the communiqué and the various provisions and promises made in their party manifestoes and on campaign platforms during the 2008 elections.

The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs commends Justice Adjei Frimpong, a Kumasi Circuit Court judge for expeditiously handling the rape case involving Eric Adjei Bawauh who openly raped a 19 year-old lady at Asafo in Kumasi and ensuring justice for the victim..

Eric Adjei Bawauh, a gymnasium instructor, described as a notorious robber who has been terrorizing residents of Asafo was given a maximum sentence of 25 years for raping the young lady. Additionally, he has also been sentenced to 30 years for robbing her of GH¢30.00. Both sentences are to run concurrently. The lady was going to board an Accra-bound bus after visiting a relative in Kumasi when she was grabbed by the convict and raped in an open spot in the full glare of onlookers.

It is heart-warming to know that justice has been served for the victim and served expeditiously, and we believe that this will send strong signals out to would be perpetrators of rape and violence against women and children to desist from engaging in such bestial acts.
Justice Adjei Frimpong, before convicting Eric Adjei Bawuah appropriately described him as “a beast that is a complete stigma to society”. The Ministry agrees totally with the Judge’s description of the convict as a beast and commends him for his support in advancing the cause of women and the vulnerable in society.

WORLD POPULATION DAY LAUNCHED
NOVOTEL- ACCRA

THEME “RESPONDING TO THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISES- INVESTING IN WOMEN IN GHANA IS A SMART CHOICE”

Welcoming participants to the forum, the Director of National Population Council (NPC) said 11th July was the official day for the celebration of National Population Day but because of the U.S. President’s visit to Ghana which fell on the exact day, it was rescheduled to 29th July, 2009. She also mentioned that there have been similar programmes and seminars prior to the launch.

Stating the purpose and significance of the celebration of World Population Day (WPD), the director said the rapid increase in the population of Ghana calls for grave concern especially with the eminent effects of the Global Economic crises on the continent. She mentioned that areas like trade, youth, women and children, are most likely to feel this negative revolution. It is in this path that the NPC in collaboration with UNFPA created such a platform to create the necessary awareness and raise sensitive issues and a possible way forward for Ghana.
She stated the appropriateness of the theme and hoped participants will contribute during the panel discussions.

Statements

UNFPA representative - DR. Makane Kane
He was more concerned about the plight of women and girls in the face of the global crises. Women are likely to feel the heat in the mist of diminishing returns resulting in scares resources.