As the Progressive People�s Party (PPP) gets ready for its formal, public outdooring next month, we want to state our position on women. We wish to encourage the women of Ghana to embrace the progressive, humanistic and common sense attitude of this new party and join.
We want women to join not just as members and supporters, but to move to the front � there is plenty of room � as leaders.
We are seeking women of all types, business women, nurses, traders, fishmongers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, bankers, etc to join now and take their places around the PPP decision-making table. Already, the National Secretariat has set a mandatory minimum requirement of six women among the 20 member constituency and regional executives. The same requirement will apply at the national level. We need women to volunteer to fill these positions and not wait to be called.
We call on all Ghanaians to work harder and more diligently to implement affirmative action policies and programmes to give our women opportunities to develop their potentials in life. It is a well-known fact that Ghana as a country has been quick to approve and give its assent to international conventions and treaties that purport to promote women, their well-being and affirmative action. Yet, we have very few women in leadership positions in business, politics, religious organisations, etc. The rights of women are routinely trampled upon by families and communities across the country in the name of �tradition and culture�. The PPP will work to change this reality.
Specifically, we will:
1. Implement free and compulsory education for all of our children from kindergarten to senior high school. This will ensure that our girls receive a decent education just as the boys. Education as a great equalizer will provide equal opportunity in life to our women.
2. We will set aside at least 20% of parliamentary seats for women candidates. Affirmative action in politics cannot be done by reducing nomination fees. We must guarantee seats and positions to make it possible to break male domination in the legislature.
3. A PPP Administration will put into place a Women Enterprise Development Agency to train, encourage and promote the growth and development of women entrepreneurs in the country. This will include technical assistance, low interest loans and the setting aside of portions of government contracts to enterprises founded by women.
The PPP will end the talk and act to promote the interest of our women. Our women deserve better!
Awake Ghanaian Women!
Join the PPP!
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