Accra, May 12, GNA - The British Department of International Development (FDID) on Wednesday signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Accra to support gender activities towards Election 2004.

The agreement would make available 250,000 dollars to Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to enhance women's participation in political activities generally.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency after the signing ceremony, Mr Sallia Fawundu, the UNDP Resident Representative, explained that the UNDP was only acting as a conduit for the management of the funds. He said he was happy that bilateral donors were impressed about the effectiveness of the UN system and had chosen to work through it for the benefit of society and women in the electoral process.

John Winter, Head of DFID, who signed for his organisation expressed confidence in the Electoral Commission (EC) and its efforts towards enhanced participation of women in politics.

He said the money was another avenue through which the DFID was supporting the EC and the entire electoral process in Ghana. The DFID first made available 2.5 million dollars to the EC towards this year's elections. The amount is the largest single donation towards this year's elections.

Mrs Joana Adzoa Opare, UNDP National Programme Co-ordinator, said her outfit had lined up a number of programmes to increase the capacity of women and civil society organisations in meeting the demands of the elections.

"When women are supported; their competences enhanced to participate in elections as in other sectors of the economy; the home and the country at large are better off and development spreads." 12 May 04