Women in Leadership

IT IS an undeniable fact that women play a very important role during the development of a country like most African countries in the sub-region of Africa, women the major population in Ghana, still face discrimination in all spheres of endeavour including political, economic and social. But the question at hand is even with the greater population do we see them occupying most leadership roles in the country?

DECISION MAKING

Most women, particularly, Ghanaian women have faced exclusion from decision making, especially in the public sphere right from colonial times through modern state administration persisting even today. It is also disheartening that the percentage of women in decision making positions of any kind is just little, but even with that, the few with leader cup roles are being seen doing immensely well.

OUR WOMEN

Women contribute a lot when it comes to home keeping, community and the country at large. Just some few weeks ago, Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood, was appointed as the 12th Chief Justice and the first female to occupy such position in Ghana, Mrs. Elizabeth Mills Robertson, the Deputy Inspector of Police and Professor Akua Kuenhyia also the former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana, Legon also made Ghana proud in the year 2003 following her election as the Vice President of the International Criminal Court at the Hague, just to mention a few contribution to leadership by women. These great women have countless times made this country proud and continue to bring great honours to this nation.

Madam Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, the first female President of the country, Liberia, defeated the only male politician during their election and won successfully.

It is no doubt that women, when given the power to rule will do it better without any hesitation. Great women, with great potentials are usually seen by the youth as role models. Because of their God gifted natural qualities such as love and passion for public service etc. their voices on opinions are usually being respected by the youth.

Infact, women are staunch supporters for each other. Prior to the prestigious role being played by women, they are also seen as peacemakers in their homes and communities.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, because of women's little participation, on issues regarding, gender discrimination through transformation of structures and institutions, women's human rights protection, and laws just to mention a few, achieving this through a systematic education, institutions and sensitization are not being tackled with the urgent attention deserved.

I therefore conclude that, for a smooth governance, increasing women's participation and strengthening women's presence on social, human rights protection policymaking and implementation should be done.

Women's voices and experiences on other roles played by them need to be heard to make a difference in political process and policies. An institution should also be set up by committed women which would aim at achieving equality and non-discrimination and this must be made real through the established bodies.

In addition, there should be programmes on that will train young women at all levels to prepare them adequately well to take up leadership roles.

The Authors are both students of Ghana Institute of Journalism