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Investigation conducted by the Publisher newspaper has revealed that no woman from the Eastern Region has been shortlisted for appointment as Municipal or District Chief Executive by the committee tasked with the responsibility to screen candidates. About six women submitted their application for selection but were disqualified by the members of the search committee, which included the regional minister and her deputy, NDC Regional executives as well as the regional security coordinator. Ironically both the regional minister who chaired the vetting process and her deputy are women but have failed to recommend any of the six women for consideration. Reacting to the issue, Eastern regional Organizer of the NDC, Tawiah Boateng, said the selection was purely done on merit and not based on gender. He stressed that applicants who were not shortlisted did not meet the criteria for selection, dismissing the perception that the women were deliberately disqualified. �Our party appreciates women empowerment and would continue to support them but they must also be prepared to compete for any position available on grounds of merit,� he added. Government has already announced the appointment of 13 men as MMDCEs and even though it�s too early according to Deputy Local Government minister, Baba Jamal, pressure is beginning to mount from gender advocates who want more women appointed as MMDCEs. Bribery allegation has hit the selection process as disqualified applicants are accusing the selection committee of selling the appointment to highest bidders. Applicants who were disqualified have alleged that some committee members were demanding from them, monies ranging from GH₡5,000 to ₡15,000 before they would be considered.