The Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs Hon. Akua Sena Dansua has indicated that next year’s District Assembly elections would be used as a spring board to launch an intensive drive in increasing women’s participation in politics and has called for support to the Ministry to undertake this project.

Hon. Akua Dansua said this when a Representative of French Association of Volunteers for Progress (Association Francaise Des Volontaires Du Progress- AFVP) Mr. Emile-Eric Affognitode paid a courtesy call on her in her office to discuss ways of collaboration between MOWAC and the Association.

The Hon. Minister said that MOWAC is the Central Management body responsible for the formulation and monitoring of policies on women and children and welcomes all collaborative efforts to advance the cause of women and children in the country.

Mrs. Ruth Addison, a Senior Programmes Officer of the Department of Children of the Ministry outlined some possible areas of collaboration with the Association including assistance to undertake research and data collection in Early Childhood Care and Development.

Mrs. Theresa Akuako of the Department of Women called for support to the Department to intensify its sensitization programmes on health and cultural practices.

The Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, Hon. Akua Sena Dansua has urged women District Chief Executives (DCEs) to work hard and distinguish themselves in their new positions so as to enjoy the confidence of the people they serve.

The Minister made the statement when she delivered a paper on “Gender Matters” at the recent orientation for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives at the Institute of Local Government Studies.
Hon. Akua Sena Dansua entreated them to persevere because they are in positions which require hard work, diligence, humility and assertiveness to succeed.

Whilst congratulating them, the Minister noted that even though their confirmation was not without difficulties, they should put their experiences behind them and work to distinguish themselves in their various districts.

She called on them to use their good offices to champion the cause of women and children in their districts and also serve as role models for other women.

FREQUENT FIRE OUTBREAKS IN MARKETS
The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs has observed with great concern the frequent fire outbreaks in our markets and recently at the Kumasi Central Market and the Komkomba Market in Accra, during which properties worth several millions of Ghana Cedis are destroyed.

A report in the Daily Graphic of 1st June, 2009 indicates that the Ghana National Fire Service has already recorded six fire outbreaks in markets throughout the country this year with last Thursday’s Kumasi Central Market disaster being the worst. These fires are destructive of lives and property and have socio-economic effects on the lives of affected traders who are mostly women. The affected women are major players in the formal and informal economy, bread winners of their families and contribute to the development of their communities. The situation where traders who have toiled throughout their lives to set up their businesses and have their wares burnt in fires is unacceptable and calls for immediate and serious action by all stakeholders.

While we sympathise with the affected persons, we urge all stakeholders to take steps to prevent such incidence as well as support rapid and effective response.

Some other precautionary measures that will prevent future fires include the following: