Koforidua, Aug. 9, GNA - The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has launched a programme towards getting more female representation in the 2006 District Assembly elections.

The Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kofi Adusei Poku who lunched the appeal at Koforidua on Monday appealed to traditional authorities to help generate interest among womenfolk to get them to contest the impending 2006 District Level elections. Mr Adusei-Poku, who was addressing the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, said it was the wish of government that more women could gain the confidence to stand as candidates in the impending elections. "It is, however, well-known that most women cannot by themselves come out to take up leadership roles unless they are encouraged to do so", he conceded.

He also appealed to all women centred organizations to help educate womenfolk on how to start planning to participate fully in the forthcoming election.

Mr Adusei-Poku entreated traditional rulers to help encourage women to get more involved in issues of governance and development at the grassroots.