Sandema(UER), Aug. 28, GNA - Sixty Opinion Leaders in the Bulisa District last weekend called on political parties not to interfere in the on-going campaigns for the district level elections, especially where women candidates were concerned.

They stressed the need to create a level playing field for the contestants and women given a fair chance to compete. The opinion leaders made up of Chiefs, Elders, Religious Leaders, Area Council Chairpersons and Women contestants, made the call at a forum organized by the Upper East Regional Inter-Sectoral Gender Network (RISEGNET), Action Aid International Ghana (AAIG) and the Population Council at Sandema.

The forum was under the theme, "Promoting Women's Participation in Governance, The Role of Various Stakeholders." It was to help the women build self-confidence and become more assertive to forge a good relationship between contestants and key opinion leaders in the communities.

Mr. Sylvester Agangmikre, Upper East Regional Population Officer, urged the participants to consider women as equal partners in development and called for the involvement of women in decision making to promote sustainable development.

Mr. Thomas Alonsi, Bulisa District Chief Executive, said the interest of women were best articulated and represented by them, saying, "It would rather be hypocritical of men to think they understand all the issues that affect the interest of women and for that matter are more competent or suitable to articulate those interest better than women themselves".

He pledged the commitment of the assembly to create an enabling environment for all the aspirants to campaign.

Madam Agnes Atayila, Presiding member of Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, appealed to political parties not to thwart efforts of women contestants since the women were part of the society and needed to take part in building their communities.

The forum identified customary barriers that discriminated against women's participation in decision-making and non-cooperation of husbands as factors that worked against women contestants.