Space FM - Odumase-The Assembly Member for the Gubre Electoral Area at Odumase in the Sunyani West District, Hon. Evelyn Adarkwa Frema, has declared her intention to contest the Sunyani West Parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NPP.
The 32 year old school proprietress was the first to pick nomination forms and becomes the first woman in history to run for parliament in Sunyani. She however has to do great battle with the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Hon Ignatius Baffour Awuah, who many tip to take over from veteran legislator, Hon Kwadwo Adjei Darko.
Addressing a packed press conference at Odumase, Hon Frema said she is contesting the seat because never in the history of Sunyani has a woman contested for the seat and she believes the time has come for a woman to represent the constituency in parliament. “That woman I believe is Hon Frema Adarkwa”, she pointed out. She said her election as the NPP parliamentary candidate and subsequently as the Sunyani West MP would serve as great motivation for women in the party and the constituency at large to also offer themselves for such high positions in governance. “As an MP, Hon. Frema would serve as a role model for many young women”, she noted.
She observed that one issue that has afflicted the NPP is that of the Foot Soldiers not being adequately catered for , adding that because women naturally have sympathy, she believes with the support of every body concerned, she would be in a better position to address problems of the party’s foot soldiers when given the mandate as MP.
“Women are naturally good managers and problem solvers and Iam convinced that with my experience and success as an assembly member, business woman and a school Proprietress, I would be able to deliver as an MP”, she explained.
Hon. Frema said “the strength of any organisation or society lies in unity and bearing in mind that women are influencial and great peace makers, I have no doubts that when given the mandate as your MP, I would with your support find practical ways to unite the party”
She mentioned Agriculture, Education, Health and Sanitation, Youth Employment and Chieftaincy as her areas of priority when given the mandate as MP.
Hon Frema gave the assurance that under agriculture she would in collaboration with Agriculture officials put in place measures to prevent post harvest loses, particularly for maize which is a major crop in the constituency. She also said mechanisms would be put in place to adequately motivate youth in agriculture with emphasis on women adding that women should be given the necessary assistance to enable them produce enough for domestic purposes and the market.
In education, she would set up Scholarship Fund, enhance Girl-Child Education and support the School Feeding Programme as part of measures to promote education in the constituency.
She said Technical and Vocational Education would be encouraged through the establishment of a firm to absorb products of Vocational Institutes. She would also in collaboration with individuals, organisations and NGO’s support vocational students with machines.
Hon Frema said consideration would be given to the establishment of special schools for special children in the constituency.
With the support of the community, the aspiring MP said the existing National Youth Employment Scheme would be promoted to ensure adequate jobs for the youth. She noted that sanitation has become a big problem almost in all communities and it is time adequate measures were taken to address the problem. She believes the use of under waste containers would be appropriate to manage waste.
“The use of open waste containers is not helping in the management of waste and I believe the introduction of Under Ground Waste Containers would be most appropriate for the management of waste”, she said.
She said Health Officials would be empowered and encouraged to step up preventive measures against seasonal diseases while the Gateway System under the National Health Insurance Scheme would be promoted.
Hon Frema noted that as custodians of the land, Nananom have major roles to play in developing the community and she would therefore provide the enabling environment for traditional authorities to contribute meaningfully to community development.
“I would in consultation assist in minimising chieftaincy disputes in the constituency”, she said.
“I believe in my ability to deliver, I trust my people to support me, I know the needs of my people and I believe my people know I can provide their needs with their support.
I know my people believe electing the first female parliamentarian for Sunyani West would be very remarkable for the reasons I am contesting. Let us all Support Women in Leadership for Community Development”, she concluded.
