The 2016 election is a contest between the party that respects and appreciates the efforts of women and the party that denigrates Ghanaian women, president of women for Mahama group has said.

 Theresa Awuni believes women in Ghana will, as a sign of appreciation, deliver victory for John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress(NDC), describing the ruling party as being  the type that has respected the rights of women.
She says her campaign group,'WOMEN FOR MAHAMA,' which has been campaigning in a bid to garner support for NDC's John Mahama, will go to great lengths to ensure victory for President Mahama as he seeks a second term in office.

"We have seen a lot of differences between political parties and we are acutely aware of the differences between John Mahama and theirs.No Party has respected and appreciated the efforts of the Ghanaian woman than what the  NDC has done," she said.

"We have a party that believes the only way a woman can make it to the top is to buy her position with sex.And you have this party shamelessly asking for our votes?.You can't sully women's image this way and expect a positive response from them."

"John Mahama work has shown he  respects women.He will win this election and it is our(women) votes that will do the magic."

In an wide-ranging interview with ghanaguardian.com,  Madam Awuni discussed issues on women's rights and empowerment in the country and opined that the Mahama-led administration has done "tremendously" well to deserve the support of women.

"President Mahama's cabinet has given  approval to have the affirmative action bill passed into law.We have a president under whose administration more women have been appointed to hold high positions, hitherto, would jave have been regarded as privileges for men.His performance is tremendous," madam Awuni said.

"We can talk about the number of female ministers and deputies serving under this administration and it is something I, as a woman, can say with pride.
John Mahama is fighting to give women a 40% representation in all public institutions."
"The NDC, in our history, have done a lot for women, and his excellency John Mahama, by the support of his hardworking wife, has made it better."

Economic management

On the subject of the ongoing debate about the management of the economy,Theresa Awuni defended John Mahama and touted his 'robust infrastructural development,' claiming its unprecedented.

She explained that one  cannot be talking about the economy without talking about where economic activities take place.

"This is our country  with a very big infrastructural deficit, this is Ghana  where money is made from our little markets places.You can't be talking about the economy in a vacuum," she said

"If they think development of our major roads, building of schools and giving a face-lift to our market places for our women to have smooth marketing activities  have no positive effect on our economy, then I will want to know what they mean by economy."

"The NDC has taken a robust infrastructural development agenda, and that is what Ghana needs."

She said the NDC will continue to deliver to the good people of Ghana  and the women for Mahama group will do all within its power to ensure majority of women cast their vote for John Mahama.

Analyst have predicted the upcoming election as the fiercest to be contested since 1992 and different sets of opinion polls have made their respective predictions in favour of  both the NDC and NPP.

But madam Awuni has also made her predictions, saying John Mahama  will win.

She says her group's campaign also touches on educating women on how to vote to ensure spoilt ballots are minimized.

"We know the differences women votes can do.We have realised most of the rejected ballots come from women, hence we are educating our women on the proper way of voting to ensure their votes get counted, madam awuni said.

"we need their vote to ensure John Mahama stays at the flagstaff for another 4years. Women's vote is crucial and our campaign for NDC's victory focuses on that, she added.

By Fiiifi Abdul Malik/ghanaguardian.com

Twiiter:@fiifialmaestro