Women’s Groups Plead With Rawlings

A group of women attending a three-day sensitization workshop in Ho on the electoral processes ahead of the December polls Tuesday appealed to Former President Jerry John Rawlings to be circumspect in his choice of words in public discourse.

The women said, Former President Rawlings, as a “role model” for both the young and old, in whatever circumstances should avoid being sharp-tongued such as happened recently when he described some people as, “evil dwarfs” and “babies with sharp teeth.”

The workshop, under the auspices of the Electoral Commission (EC), with support from the USAID, was towards building stakeholders confidence in the elections. The women were drawn from faith and community- based organizations and professional women groups.

Madam Mawunya Demanya, a participant said her group had been praying relentlessly for peace to prevail in the country and therefore advised the country’s leaders and opinion leaders to desist from creating unnecessary tensions. She described the meeting between Former President Rawlings and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as good gesture for peace building among different groups.

Madam Demanya said though the current political climate was encouraging, it must not be taken for granted and called for concerted efforts from all to retain the peace.“We are happy that the campaigns are issue-based and we pray that it remains this way for peace to prevail,” Madam Demanya said.

Madam Bless Fiawoo of the Assemblies of God Church, Ho, reiterated the call on media practitioners, especially radio stations, to be circumspect in their reportage and programmes. Madam Stella Darkey of the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association commended the Electoral Commission for sensitizing different groups of people on the electoral processes apart from politicians.

Madam Mansa Dagbe, Ho Market Queen asked women to continue praying for peaceful elections and urged politicians to act responsibly before, during and after the elections.

Madam Saviour Demanya from the Word Miracle Church expressed confidence in the EC to organize peaceful and credible polls. The group was taken through the electoral processes, from appointment of electoral officers to voting procedures.

They also went through a simulation exercise in voting. Madam Laurentia Kpatakpa, Volta Regional Director of the EC said similar seminars would be organized for people with disabilities, the media and political parties.