Review standing orders of district assemblies- Ofosu- Ampofo

Koforidua, June 1, GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, on Tuesday called for the review of district assemblies' standi ng orders to favour women who have been nominated as District/ Municipal/ Metropolitan Chief Executives.

He said the present situation whereby all the President's nominees f or the position of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives wer e required to obtain two-thirds majority of votes from the assembly members

present, did not favour women since almost all the assemblies were male dominated. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo therefore suggested that instead of the required two-thirds majority, female nominees should be allowed to get the nod whe n 50 percent of the assembly members voted in their favour. He said that would encourage more women to take up political roles, by using the district assembly grounds as stepping stones. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was speaking at the swearing in ceremony in Koforidu a of Ms Ophelia Koomson, as the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), for Birim Central. He said in the current situation, women were disadvantaged and for m ore women to be empowered into the political scene, some leverage such as the

affirmative action should be considered.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo praised Ms Koomson for her perseverance and resilien ce and urged her to work in unity with a humble and pleasant disposition, fo r speedy development of the municipality. Mr Julius Debrah, Regional Chairman of the NDC, reminded the MCE tha t her office will be the first point of call for the people and so she must

show respect and love to all manner of persons to support the president's

better Ghana agenda.

He reminded her that being a woman she had a double challenge to justify the confidence reposed in her by the president, and to prove that

women were equally capable of holding any political office. Mr Debrah advised her to guard against people who under the disguise of love and affection would distract her from working in unity with all part y members to the disadvantaged of the party in the area. Mr William Agyepong Quaitoo, the presiding member of the assembly, assured the newly sworn-in MCE of his personal support and that of the assembly members, to help her move the development of the area in a faste r pace. Ms Koomson in her acceptance speech thanked the president for the confidence reposed in her, and pledged to prove to all that women were capable of holding any position. She called on all women, particularly in the Birim Central Municipality, to rally behind her as a sign for women empowerment. Ms Koomson extended an olive branch to all party members who opposed

her nomination, to rally behind her to realize the better Ghana agenda fo r the benefit of the people and in the interest of the party. She was earlier on sworn into office by the Supervising High Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Suurebareh, on the oaths of office, secrecy and allegiance.