Gender Balancing Vital For Democracy

Augustina Akosua Akumanyi, deputy chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has said more women should be encouraged to participate in grass roots governance to ensure that the country's democracy is well entrenched and balanced.

'Gender balancing should not be treated as a joke but implemented in all spheres of life,' Mr. Akumawusi stated at a women's empowerment forum organised by the NCCE, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), at Mpasatia in the Atwima-Mponua district of Ashanti.

She said 'there should have been more women in responsible positions at all workplaces, but sadly women are woefully under represented in decision-making and in the corridors of power where it really matters.'

For his part, Kusi Aboraa, Ashanti Regional Director of NCCE, called on political parties to support women to contest for the flagbearership positions in presidential elections, adding that it is the responsibility of men to provide the necessary support and create the right environment for the issue of women's empowerment to become a reality.

He advised the people to pay their taxes and other levies regularly to enable the district assemblies to generate more funds for development.

Wilberforce Owusu-Ansah, District Chief Executive for Atwima-Mponua, appealed to parents to invest more in the education of the girl-child to enable them to take responsible positions in future.
He also appealed to husbands to allow their wives to be involved in active politics.