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The Brong Ahafo Regional Programmes Director of ActionAid, Ms Christina Amarchey, has advised women who want to contest political seats to exhibit high level of personal confidence and leadership qualities. She said that was necessary for them to gather massive public support and win election, and stressed that �Nobody will take you serious if you are not confident yourself. Let us believe in ourselves no matter what people say about us�. District elections Ms Amarchey was speaking at a regional women�s forum held in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region in preparation towards the district level elections slated for March, 2015. The programme, which was on the theme: �Women�s participation in decision-making is a right�, brought together women who are aspiring to contest in the district assembly elections from all the districts in the region. Mrs Amarchey said when women acted with timidity as a result of their gender; it would not encourage people to vote for them, and added that women should rather turn their weaknesses into strength to enable them to receive support from the electorates. Women as leaders She, however, expressed worry that some people saw women only as followers and not leaders, stating that when women were given the opportunity, they could perform very well. �Despite the fact that women have gained improvements in their lives all over the world, women are still not present in equal numbers in business, politics or other decision-making positions at various levels�, she said. Mrs Amarchey, therefore, encouraged women to develop themselves academically to enable them to pursue their vision saying, �You need to develop your aptitude and attitude so that we can increase your knowledge and raise your profile well.� The Brong Ahafo Regional Deputy Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr Michael Amponsah, said women�s involvement in politics was a positive step to accelerate the country�s development. He implored the general public to have confidence in women and vote for them when they contest elections. Mr Amponsah, however, entreated women to make consultations in order to gain experience on whatever position they aspire to occupy.