Female Chauvinist, Serwaa Akoto, Tells Nana Addo Not To Forget His Promise On Female Appointments In His Government, Else….

Today I have the singular honour to congratulate you, the president-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo for winning this year’s elections.

The fact that you contested for the presidency for the third consecutive time is a motivation enough and needed morale booster for myself and others. With perseverance, hard work and determination the dream that seemed almost impossible or insurmountable has come to pass.

Sir I know winning of this year’s presidential election and gaining comfortable majority in parliament was very important to the very party you represent.

It is interesting and worth mentioning the crop of names that are coming up purportedly to be part of the new government. I must state unequivocally that it’s an arduous task for a team to be put together in the midst of equally qualified and varied talents that the NPP can boast of.

It is therefore understandable if a respite is given to you to fix your government ahead of the investiture. But as much as it is prudent for that reprieve to be given, there is the need that I remind you Sir, of the party’s 2016 Manifesto of the quota of appointment for women as captured in the 2016 manifesto.

The 2016 manifesto states inter alia the NPP remains committed to gender equality and children’s rights and will work assiduously to achieve the following:

Appointment of women to at least 30% of available public office positions, setting aside 50% of MASLOC funds for female applicants, reintroduce and enforce the administrative directive on the Reservation of 30% of poverty alleviation/credit funds of MMDA’s to service womens’ enterprises have one thing I am looking out for President-elect Nana Addo as the needed consideration is being taken to appoint ministers and deputies for the next government.

Mr President-elect, individuals are watching to see that the 30% quota for women in the administration of the country, as stipulated by the constitution of Ghana is strictly adhered to by your government.

Hope to see more women not just in positions, but in higher positions that will propel the country to move forward in every aspect of development.

Sir I have heard you say on several platforms that you will keep every promise you made to Ghanaians during the campaign period but just to remind you, NPP’s manifesto for 2016 promised to set aside 50 percent of the Micro and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) funds for female applicants to expand their businesses when given the nod, 30 per cent of poverty alleviation/credit funds of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly’s (MMDAs) to service women’s enterprise.

The manifesto said, Mr President-elect, that if the NPP win the December 7 elections gender equality and women’s empowerment would be reintroduced just as the Kufuor administration demonstrated by establishing Women and Children’s Ministry, now Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and again fill at least 30 percent of the available public office positions and provide alternate life skills training and seed capital to reduce the kayayei phenomenon as well as partnering the private sector and charities to provide temporary hostel facilities.

Thanks for hearing my plea Mr. President-Elect.

My name is Obaasima Serwaa Akoto. I am for female empowerment. The NPP, under the Kufuor-led NPP government, in demonstration of the importance of women and children in the society, set up Ghana’s first Ministry for Women and Children’s Affairs. Today, the NPP remains committed to gender equality and children’s rights and will work assiduously to achieve the following:

1. Appointment of women to at least 30% of available public office positions
2. Setting aside 50% of MASLOC funds for female applicants
3. Reintroduce and enforce the administrative directive on the reservation of 30% of poverty alleviation/credit funds of MMDA’s to service womens’ enterprises
4. Reducing the Kayayei (Head Porters) phenomenon by:

• improving the economy of their districts of origin to curb the migration
• providing alternate life skills training and seed capital, as well as partnering the private sector, NGOs and charities to provide temporary hostel facilities
• we will work with the District Assemblies to exempt Kayayei from market tolls and taxes currently imposed on them, and New Patriotic Party (NPP)

Manifesto for Election 2016 (129)

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT – CHAPTER 11

Improving their access to education and health care.

In addition, NPP will pursue in the area of women and children’s welfare the following:

1. implementing fully the Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Disability Acts and ensuring that other relevant pieces of legislation are implemented in full
2. continue implementing the policies that increased enrolment and retention in schools, like the school feeding programme and capitation grant. Special emphasis will also be placed on proper diagnosis and treatment of children with learning disabilities like dyslexia and other special needs. Their education will be mainstreamed as far as practicable with the full implementation of the inclusive education policy
3. introducing a District Integrated Social Services programme for children, families and vulnerable adults to consolidate the relevant health, education, and justice systems, as well as all social protection programmes
4. strengthening and enforcing regulations, and introducing national minimum standards for residential children’s homes, and
5. strengthening regulations and reforming the adoption and foster care regime and providing incentives for fostering at-risk child.