Government must develop economic policy to favour both men and women

Kumasi, Nov. 7, GNA - Government has been called on to adopt an economic policy that would promote sustainable gender equity for economic development. This must be based on equality in economic opportunities and rewards which would have to start from the household level. The policy must also address women's specific disadvantages in all sectors of the economy.

Madam Eudora C. Oppong, Representative for Federation for Women Lawyers in Ashanti Region made these statements at a forum held in Kumasi on Thursday, for politicians, party members and women aspiring to be parliamentarians.

The Forum, which was organized by ABANTU for Women Development, a non governmental organization (NGO) in partnership with Canadian International Development Agency, Women's Manifesto Coalition, National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and Network for Women's Rights in Ghana was under the theme "Mobilizing voter support for women parliamentary candidates for elections 2008".

It was aimed at encouraging more women to aspire to be parliamentarians and the need to elect more women in Parliament. Madam Oppong emphasised that women's economic empowerment was critical to development, adding that years of colonial domination and poor economic policies since independence have made Ghana under developed and poor. She also called for equal rights for women in areas such as land allocation and other relevant properties to enable women become independent.

Mrs Georgina Opoku Amankwaa, Metropolitan Director of NCCE, pointed out that women must be included in all policy and decision making to correct the in balance in gender. She mentioned low educational levels, apathy and poverty as some of the issues that prevented women from attaining higher positions. Mrs Mariam Agyeman Gyasi Jawhary, a Private Legal Practitioner, said women must upgrade themselves to be able to contribute to national development.

Mr Kusi Aborah, Regional Director of NCCE, called on the media to help monitor the electoral process in the upcoming general elections to ensure successful elections. Participants at the forum called for free and fair elections, devoid of incidents, adding that Ghanaians must learn from the United States so that the peace being enjoyed in the country would be maintained. Present at the Forum were Nana Afrakomaa Boatemaa, Queen of Asante-Akim Agogo and other Queens from the Adansi Traditional Council.