Accra, July 20, GNA - Madam Esther Lily Nkansah, former Western Regional Minister, on Friday called for unity among women within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in its quest to win the 2008 election. "Certain traits and behaviours of women must be left behind if we want to win the 2008 election and become great politicians for our party and the nation as a whole," she said.

Addressing the women's wing of the party at a three-day workshop in Accra on the theme: "Enhancing the Role of Women in the Evolving Democratic Process", she said the role of women in any political party was crucial to the development and sustainability of the party, especially in elections as they formed majority of the population. Madam Nkansah noted that under-representation of women in decision making should be an issue of the past. "If political parties continue to fail to present women, they will eventually lose their legitimacy and justification for being elected to govern."

Papa Kow Acquaye, Assistant Researcher of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), noted that through the identification of the broad challenges women faced in the country, the women's caucus in parliament had been given a stronger voice and a sharper focus. He said due to its advocacy and awareness creation, the number of elected Assembly women rose from five per cent to 12 per cent in the 2006. He said IEA had put the women agenda where it rightly belonged at the top of national priorities.

Papa Acquaye said the IEA did not only equip people with necessary skills and empower them but had also created platforms for the building of networks which helped share ideas and experiences. He therefore urged all participants to resolve to adopt positive policies that would make them better women organisers, leaders and great politicians. Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Women Organiser of the NDC, said it was unfortunate that women had become despondent due to lack of confidence in the electoral system as a result of vague promises made to them by politicians. She noted that since women suffered the most from the effects of bad governance, they must actively participate in the electoral process to secure a bright future for their children and grandchildren. 20 July 07