COMMONWEALTH WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS VISIT NCCE

The National Commission for Civic Education has received a delegation from the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), Africa, Region.

The visit by the delegation primarily sought to engage NCCE on how it can help promote and lobby for women's participation and representation in politics and advocate an increased female representation in governance.

The move is a positive agenda to make women in Africa position themselves strategically in political governance and as Ghana goes to the polls this year, there are calls for women to offer themselves and actively participate in the national exercise.

Chairperson of NCCE, Ms. Kathleen Addy offered a warm reception to the delegation. She was ably supported by her leadership; Deputy Chairman, Operations; Samuel Asare Akuamoah, Deputy Chairman of Finance and Administration, Lawyer Victor Brobbey, Commission Secretary and Directors.

Ms. Addy highlighted some deliberate civic education programmes that seek to empower women. She said the Commission involves women in civic engagements either at the district, regional or national levels. "We do have specific programmes for women. Women empowerment is mainstreamed in all our programmes. We are mindful of women's empowerment and this is reflected in our activities. We are deliberate with programmes targeted at women in politics and governance, Ms. Addy explained.

She was however not enthused about the low representation of women in Ghana’s Parliament and mentioned that the empowerment of women in politics and governance must be a collective responsibility. "We need to work harder to make women understand their roles not only as general leaders but as Parliamentarians. If we come together stronger as women, we will have a stronger voice", she said passionately.

Ms. Kathleen Addy said this year being an election year, the NCCE is well-positioned to actively involve women in its programmes and activities because of the impact women bring to national peace and national cohesion.

Ms. Addy advised that because democracies in Africa are young, it is imperative that actors ensure and as well, mobilise women to appreciate the need to take up strategic positions in politics and all. 'Women must come together to have a stronger voice on matters of women representation in politics and governance', she added.

The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians explained the group's mission for the advocacy visit. She mentioned among others, advocating for political party funding for women, positioning women in strategic positions, economic empowerment for women, capacity for women Parliamentarians and empowering women to be effective.

She acknowledged the NCCE's role in public education and advocacy and appealed to the Commission to project more programmes that promote women's participation in politics and local governance.

The team from the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians is in Ghana as part of its Election Sensitisation Campaign programme which seeks to have discussions with relevant stakeholders on how to lobby for increased representation of women in positions of power and decision-making.