Odumase-Krobo(ER), Sept. 02, GNA -- Most women candidates for the Manya Krobo District in the District Level Elections took the decision because of the lackluster performance of men in the assembly. Their campaign message was an attempt to reverse the blight of poor advocacy by men on the needs of women which they claimed had not addressed their concerns in a holistic manner in the past. Speaking to the GNA at Odumase Krobo on Thursday, Miss Christine Okai, contesting against five men in the Abanse electoral area, said women were getting frustrated by the lack of zeal by men to devote the needed attention to issues concerning women.

Miss Okai said her priority, was how to provide water and sanitary facilities for the people and in addition, champion the advocacy for children-related issues.

Miss Jane Kplorla Keledorme, 50, contesting for the Bungalow seat at Akuse, associated herself with the views of Miss Okai and expressed her readiness to lobby for recognition for the people. She expressed her solidarity with other women contestants, noting that although most of them had been saddled with low resource base, they nonetheless felt emboldened by the reception received from the public.

Mrs Sakinatu Garibah contesting the Zongo/Anlo-Kodzi seat at Kpong, said perceived voter disaffection with men contestants was helping most women in the elections seeking a break from the voting pattern at the grassroots.

Mrs Garibah said her priority would be to synergise the various groups operating within the area to unite and plan for a common agenda towards soliciting for resources to build a market and ensure environmental sanitation.

In addition, she would endeavour to improve on the activities of traders in the sale of fish and "abolo" (a corn meal) on the Accra-Akosombo road where they run after vehicles to sell their wares due to lack of decent places to trade.

Participants at a durbar organized by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), expressed appreciation for the increase in women participation in this year's elections.

A former assembly woman said she was instrumental in the erection of stalls at Akateng market, a major fishing community within the district when the assemblymen decided that the money should be used for something else.

Nene Sasraku IV, Acting President of Manya Krobo Traditional Council congratulated the 24 women contesting in the district and asked them to be civil in their campaigns to win more supporters. 02 Sept.06