General News of Wednesday, 5 May 2004

Source: GNA

Mills promises women more positions in NDC govt

Cape Coast, May 5, GNA- Professor John Atta Mills, Presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Tuesday promised Ghanaian women, particularly those in the NDC, that, he would appoint more women as ministers, if the party wins power in the December general elections.

He described women as hardworking, resourceful and reliable and commended female members of the party, for their commitment to the party, describing them as "very great organisers" who deserve better positions.

Prof Mills made the promise when he inaugurated 32-member Women's Working Committee for the Cape Coast constituency of the party, at Cape Coast, as part of a day's visit to the constituency.

Mr Ebo Barton-Oduro, a legal practitioner and the party's parliamentary candidate for the constituency, swore into office, the committee, which is to co-ordinate the activities of the various women's branches within the constituency, under the chairmanship of the regional women's organiser, Madam Rebecca Forson.

He said some women within the party have been the forerunners and had made sacrifices in times of difficulty, while some of their male counterparts, were only interested in scrambling for positions, only to desert the party when things become difficult.

Professor Mills touched on policies being evolved by the government to alleviate poverty in the country, and accused it of politicising the disbursement of poverty alleviation funds.

He noted that such monies, belonged to all Ghanaians, and must be used for the benefit of all.

Madam Forson cautioned the women against petty squabbles and charged them to instead, use their position to promote the party at the grassroots, and ensure that the party wins massively in the constituency.