40 ASPIRANTS COMPLETE TRAINING (PAGE 12, SEPT 20, 2010)

FORTY women aspirants from the three northern regions have completed a four-day training workshop on women’s participation in the political decision-making process in Tamale.
The workshop was aimed, among other objectives, to increase women’s participation in political decision-making as a prerequisite for good governance and accelerated national development.
The participants discussed such issues as gender perspectives on active politics in Ghana, gender mainstreaming and good governance, voting as a civic responsibility, the art of public speaking and simulation of the campaign platform among others.
It was organised by the Christian Mothers’ Association (CMA) in collaboration with the German Development Co-operation (GTZ) under its support for Decentralisation Reforms Programme.
The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna Friday, observed that increasing women’s participation in politics would ultimately enhance the country’s democracy and good governance.
He, therefore, urged politicians and policy makers to help evolve effective strategies that would create a congenial atmosphere for more women to take part in the decision-making process.
Alhaji Haruna further explained that increasing the numbers of women in positions of trust would equally help promote peace in the north.
The Executive Secretary of the CMA, Madam Elizabeth Addai-Boateng encouraged women to be assertive and not leave the political decision making process in the hands of men alone.
The Junior Advisor of the GTZ, Mr Hamza Bukari,advised women aspirants not to withdraw from contesting the forthcoming district level elections.
One of the aspirants at Jirapa in the Upper West Region, Madam Nathalia Debuo, pledged on behalf of her colleagues to work hard to take up political appointments at any level to enable them contribute meaningfully to the development of their respective communities.
“For us educating our children is critical and we ask our men to support, guide and direct us to achieve the desired results” she stressed.