The Gender, Women, Children and Social Protection Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in collaboration with the party's Women’s Wing in the Ledzokuku Constituency, has held a successful capacity building session for its members at the Apostolic Church in Tsuibleo, Teshie, Accra.

The Ledzokuku Constituency is major battle ground in the upcoming general elections. Historically, the Constituency has not reelected a Member of Parliament (MP) after their first term, except the NDC’s Nii Adjei Boye Sekan, who won in 1992 and 1996.

In the 2020 election, NDC's Benjamin Narteh Ayiku unseated the governing NPP's Nii Okoe Boye in a major political upset. The NDC hopes to retain the seat in the next election.

The capacity building training, held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, was to equip Ledzokuku women organisers with vital campaign skills and information for a successful door-to-door campaign ahead of the December 7 general elections.

The session focused on securing victory for NDC Presidential Candidate John Dramani Mahama and Ben Ayiku.

Key topics included proposals of the 2024 NDC Resetting Ghana Manifesto, effective campaigning strategies, voter registration, and voter education.

The training focused of grassroots mobilization, house-to-house outreach programmes, and ensuring techniques to facilitate a massive turn out for NDC in the constituency.

Speakers Highlight Core NDC Policies

Human Rights Lawyer and secretary to the 2024 NDC Manifesto, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, underscored the significance of the 7th December elections and the need to vote for John Dramani Mahama.

Nana Oye, who is also the chair person of the NDC Gender, Women, Children and Social Protection Committee, educated participants about the National Women's Bank to be set up by John Dramamnu Mahama.

Peace Mamle Tetteh, a senior lecturer and a member of the committee, spoke about the NDC Manifesto Proposals on pre eating and addressing gender-based violence and the party’s maternal care policies.

"When Mahama returns to power, his government will upgrade the Domestic Violence & Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) to Directorate. Maternity leave for women will also be extended to four months. Women with still births will also for the first time, receive medical support under an NDC Government," she said in Twi.

Dr. Sodzi Sodzi Tettey, an accomplished medical doctor and also a member of the committee, outlined the NDC’s health policies, focusing on party's commitment to providing free primary health care to all Ghanaians.

He mentioned the Mahama Care to support Ghaianas on Dialysis, and noted that the party's plan includes significant investments in health infrastructure and workforce development, which will directly benefit women and children in the Ledzokuku Constituency.

Support for Market Women and Fishing Communities

Hajia Jamilatu Ibrahim, also from the NDC’s Gender, Children, and Social Protection team, addressed the enthusiastic members of the Ledzokuku Women Wings about the party’s Market Enhancement Project.

She outlined how the initiative aims to support market women through microfinance programs and better access to resources that can help them grow their businesses. She mentioned that new markets will be constructed in the six new regions.

Naa Korklu Afotey also addressed the party’s policies concerning fishing communities, with a specific focus on ensuring a fairer and more equitable means of distributing premix fuel. Wire-mesh will be provided for women at subsidised costs, and fish processing markets will be built at Adabraka and Torkor in the Volta region, she said.

Commitment to Women’s Leadership

Former Ledzokuku MP, Sena Okity-Duah and Constituency Women Organizer Hajia Latifa both encouraged the women to take on leadership roles within the 2024 NDC Campaign.

They urged the women to take active part in NDC’s electoral success, acknowledging that the Ledzokuku Women’s Wing is integral to the party’s grassroots efforts.

The event ended with a renewed sense of determination among the women, as they committed to bringing the NDC’s message of hope and change to every household in the Ledzokuku Constituency.

With the December elections fast approaching, the Women’s Wing is ready to mobilize and ensure victory for John Dramani Mahama and Ben Ayiku.