Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF- Ghana) is calling on Ghanaians to vote massively for women contesting the Presidential and Parliamentary elections on Wednesday, 7th December, 2016.

In this year’s elections, a total of 136 women are contesting parliamentary seats. For the first time also, a woman, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, is on the ballot paper as a Presidential Candidate. This is inspiring, as it has not only given hope to women but also to our girls; that it is possible for a woman to also become the President of Ghana.

A vote for women will provide an opportunity for Ghana to move away from the established patriarchy, systems and traditions that have hampered the nation’s ability to harness the political potentials of its female population, which, at the last count, accounted for over 51% of the national population.

It is also on record that there are 8,031,144 registered female voters as against 7,681,355 male who will vote in the 2016 elections. This shows that over the years, women have been the largest voters in Ghana. It is therefore time to give women the chance to move from voting to being voted for.

Women are also noted to be competent, meticulous, less corrupt, and responsible when in public or political office. A vote for them means that the country will be able to harness these qualities. Women will also bring their own insights and perspectives into the political decision making processes and structures, which will improve decision-making in politics and governance. It is also noted that, countries with more women in parliament tend to have more equitable laws and social programmes and budgets that benefits all.

A vote for women is a vote for change and transformational development.

Signed:
Frank Wilson Bodza
Programme Manager for Governance
0209211931

 

By WILDAF Ghana