Flagbearer of the Convention People's Party, Nana Akosua Frimponmaa Kumankumah, has shed light on some challenges facing women in politics in Ghana.
Speaking on Election Desk on GhanaWeb TV, she expressed worry over the low number of women in active politics and called on more women to step up to leadership roles.
She questioned the representation of women in political and decision-making spaces, noting the impact of these decisions on women, who make up more than half of the population and often have the care of young people under their charge.
"How many women are in politics? How many are in decision-making roles? Women are taking on leadership, yet in terms of actual decision-making, you don’t see them there. Yet the decision that is made affects over 50 percent of them, and you take a chunk of the population who are young people and in care of women, so it is so important that we consider women," she explained.
Reflecting on her own political career, Nana Akosua observed that women cannot afford to wait for leadership opportunities to be handed to them.
"If women want to wait and be handed leadership, it won’t happen. You must present yourself. It isn’t going to be easy. It is so frustrating being a woman in leadership because the kind of hurdles we face are extreme,” the CPP flagbearer added.
She expressed gratitude for her current position, stressing that it could serve as an inspiration for others.
"I’ve gone through struggles to get here—major struggles, but I’m glad to be here to give hope to others,” she said.
She also acknowledged the widespread demand for change in the country, driven by the hardships facing citizens, noting that people, especially the youth, desire a viable alternative to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
"It is great to see the youth and people of this country demanding an option. We’ve seen frustrations with the current system. So, what is going to be the alternative? Just going back isn’t the answer. I am glad that the CPP option is here through me," she explained, referencing her commitment to the welfare-focused vision of the party’s founder, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
"The CPP’s option is Osagyefo’s option, one that centres on the welfare of Ghanaians. Serving people has always been my purpose, and I am thankful to God for this opportunity," she stated.
Watch her interview below:
JKB/ ADG
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