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 Chereponi seat was occupied by the late Hon. Doris Asibi Seidu between 2004 and until about a month ago when she passed on after a protracted illness. Hon. Doris Seidu’s contributions in Parliament and to the development of the Chereponi Constituency displayed clearly the capabilities of women in leadership.

Having served as a voice at various levels in the promotion of women’s right and gender equality until her untimely death, there will not be a more fitting tribute to the late Mrs. Seidu than for contesting parties to field women as candidates, one of whom will eventually win the election and represent the Constituency.

HON. AKUA SENA DANSUA
(MP)MINISTER