Stakeholders hold durbar to enhance good governance

Akrofuom-Ashanti, Sept. 04, GNA Miss Lea Simonsen a representative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has observed that the maintenance of good governance in the country had placed Ghana high on the world map.

The maintenance of good governance in Ghana has placed this nation high on the world map, especially in comparison to the turmoil of the surrounding countries, she stressed.

Miss Simonsen made the observation when addressing a community durbar at Akrofuom in the Adansi South District as part of a capacity building programme geared towards enhancing gender equality in democratic governance in the country.

The programme being held in some selected districts in the country was organised by the UNDP in collaboration with the Electoral Commission, Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs and National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).

It has adopted a three-wedge approach of public education, capacity building for selected women and other stakeholders, leaders and support to society groups that promote women welfare, participation and representation in the electoral and democratic processes. However, Miss Simonsen said to sustain the good governance and attain the nation's development goals, the country needed to embrace the participation of all stakeholders in decision making.

Using women and embracing the productivity and involvement of all stakeholders will make the community stronger, the UNDP Representative said.

Miss Simonsen said there was the need to strengthen the unit committees, area councils and district assemblies by ensuring the full participation of all stakeholders, especially women in the decentralised system of governance.

Development can be achieved within an atmosphere of peace and stability but this atmosphere can only be attained in a society where everyone feels respected and involved in the decision making process, which affects their lives, she added.

Mr Samuel Akuamoah, Deputy Director in-charge of Public Education of NCCE, said the programme to sensitise women participation in national and local governance was very crucial to the country's development. He admitted that women participation in governance and decision-making process was very low and called for a change adding that we have to recognise the potentials of women.

Mr Akuamoah said given the chance, women could contribute positively to give direction to the effective implementation of assembly development plans.

Mr Kwabena Appiah-Pinkrah, Member of Parliament for Akrofuom said with the people now developing interest in partisan politics, it was important to encourage women to participate in national and district politics.