The women of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) wish to express our support to the petition from Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) to the NDC government to ensure that it fields 40% women in its administration across board.

Ghana as we know has ratified many conventions such as the Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Beijing Platform for Action, the MDGs, and the Commonwealth Plan of Action. Yet, over the years we have paid lip service to ensuring that women are represented in decision making bodies. We the women of the PPP believe that Ghana is long overdue in making firm commitments and unless we take practical steps, we will be here in 20 years and the topic at hand about women will still be as it is today.

Though there is going to be an increase of women in the 2013 parliament as against previous years, it will still not be enough as it forms only about 11% of the total number of Parliamentarians. Meanwhile other decision making bodies lack the presence of women. We therefore also call on President John Mahama to exhibit qualities of a good leader and most importantly execute the promises he made to Ghanaians on his political platforms which were among others reserving 40% of the President’s appointees of the MMDAs to women.

The women of the PPP wish to state unequivocally that the development of Ghana will not be achieved if women are not totally involved in the governance process. We have tried to do it without the women and we have not succeeded. The women of the PPP believe that governance must be taken serious and every necessary attention, dedication, and commitment must be paid to it. It must be inclusive and not alienate any section whether intentional or not. We, the Progressive Women will also like to call on Ghanaian women to readily make themselves available to partner our men and serve this great nation of ours on the right principles.

We must show commitment to whatever we say. President Mahama as leader must show commitment.

Thank you.

PPP….AWAKE !!! Berlinda Bulley National Women’s Coordinator 0246287495