The Gender Center, an NGO in collaboration with IBIS and USAID has held a one day workshop for the media in the Brong Ahafo Region on policy dialogue on election 2004 in Sunyani.

The purpose of the meeting was to provide a forum for the media to identify gender issues for the 2004 election and support women for effective campaign as well as promoting a peaceful election.

The Brong Ahafo Ghana Journalist Association Chairman Mr Leonard Amengo who spoke on the topic, ?the role of the media in covering elections?, pointed out that the media should be fair and accurate in informing the public on electoral processes. He urged them to apply professionalism in their duty, make it comprehensive and avoid speculative journalism.

A representative from the Gender Centre Ms Margaret Ward-Brew, appealed to the media to make issues affecting women one of their top priorities especially during the electioneering campaign.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr Sulley Amadu, gave an over view of the electoral system since 1992 pointing out that the system has room for women participation in the current democratic dispensation.

He encouraged more women to enter into politics and called on men to support them in that direction. He urged all those who registered for the up-coming parliamentary and presidential elections to turn out massively to cast their vote to select candidates of their choice.

The meeting was attended by over fifty participants drawn from the various media houses and government Institutions in the Brong Ahafo Region.