The Chairman of the appointments committee of parliament Joseph Osei-Owusu, has challenged Ghanaians particularly women in parliament to work much harder if they have aspirations to assume any of his political portfolios.
As far as he is concerned any woman who wants his seat will have to compete with him for the position.
His remarks were in response to submissions made by Deputy minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources Hon Naana Eyiah Quansah during vetting, to the effect that it would be in the best interest of the country if 75 parliamentary seats are reserved for women.
Joseph Osei-Owusu who doubles as First Deputy Speaker of parliament though agreed with the submission maintained that those seats should be earned through hard work and competition.
He argued that women have had sufficient support in politics for which reason they should not merely be 'pampered' but work for the various positions they so desire.
“I’m not willing to give my seat to any woman, if she deserves it she can compete… I think women have had sufficient support and they say what men can do, they can do better.” He said.
According to the MP, political parties and women in general need to be educated considering that they equally play important roles in politics.
“Women are 51 percent in Ghana. We are pleading with the men, they should support us because giving us 75 out of 275, we are not asking for more.”
“We are 275 in parliament, we are pleading if the president will listen and if all the parties will, they should give us 75 seats for women", she requested.
She subsequently pledged commitment to ensuring girls from the very young stage are given the requisite education.
Naana Eyiah Quansah further advised women not to relent in their pursuit for success regardless of their childbearing responsibilities.
Naana Eyiah Quansah was vetted Tuesday March 19 by Parliament's appointments committee for the position of Deputy Lands and Natural Resources.
Three others including John Bennam, Alex Tetteh, Alex Kodwo Kom Abban were also vetted.
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