Politics of Friday, 3 September 2010

Source: GNA

Assemblyman steps down for the sake of a woman Candidate

Bongo(UE),Sept 03,GNA- Mr. Richard Adongo, an assemblyman for Lungu electoral area in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region, has decided not to contest the forthcoming District Assembly election but to rather support a woman candidate.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview, the assemblyman who was in his second term, said he decided not to stand because he had made up his mind to join the crusade to canvas for more women to stand for this year's District Assembly election slated for October.

He explained that women have been marginalised for far too long and this was seriously affecting development and indicated that women when supported and given the needed support would deliver better than some men.

According to him, women had more lobbying skills than men and could negotiate for rapid development when they are given the opportunity.

The outgoing assemblyman entreated men and all stakeholders to support more women during the impending District Assembly election so as to bring about balance and equal development.

He stated that he would use his rich experience to support the woman who would win the District Assembly Election to help bring development to the area

Mr. Adongo said his next aim was to contribute towards Ghana's attainment of the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) by 2015 and indicated that his organization; pride Ghana, an NGO had been selected as a monitoring committee by the United Nation Millennium Campaign Group to monitor the activities carried out by organizations and departments towards achieving the MDGs.

He said as a focal person in charge of monitoring, the Bolgatanga Municipal and the Bongo District, his organization would work to demand accountability from Government agencies and other departments to ensure that MDGs were achieved.

Mr. Adongo, who is also the Chairman for Justice and Security Sub-Committee of the Bongo District Assembly, entreated aspiring Assemblymen and women who would be contesting the upcoming election to embark on decent campaigns devoid of inflammable language, stressing that such acts could spark violence and chaos.

He said politics was about development and entreated those would lose in the election not to be disturbed but rally behind the victors for the sake of development.