Lawra, (UWR), May 16, GNA- Mr. Ambrose Dery, Minister of State at the Justice and Attorney-General Ministry, on Thursday said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was committed to empowering women economically, socially and politically to enable them to contribute to national development.

He said inadequate allocation of resources to women to improve their economic status was affecting the rapid development of the country.

Mr Dery was addressing the Songtaa Nyog Women Group at Lawra in the Upper West Region, as part of his campaign tour of the Lawra/Nandom Constituency to solicit votes for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December 7 polls.

He said women constituted the largest proportion of the country's population and national policies and programmes should adequately cater for their needs and aspirations.

Mr Dery urged women who have received funds from micro credit project to invest in cottage industry to generate more money to enable them to repay their loans.

He asked women to advice their husbands and children to conduct themselves appropriately before, during and after the 2008 Election to sustain the country's peace.

Mr Dery observed that during conflicts women and children suffered most.

Mr Dery said the NPP was committed to providing the needed logistics and creating conducive atmosphere for a free and fair elections in the December 7 polls.

He asked members of the Songtaa Nyog Women Group to avoid insults and intimidation during the election period and asked them to vote for the NPP.

On the high cost of foodstuff and petroleum products, Mr Dery said it was a global problem that was limited to Ghana. He said the government was working hard to ensure the exploration of oil that was discovered recently in the country. Mr Dery announced that government had awarded the Babile-Lawra-Hamile road on contract and work would start soon. Madam Doris Nigre, Chairperson of the Women's Group, said it was preparing to establish a credit union to promote economic activities. She appealed to benevolent organisations and individual philanthropists to assist them to realise their vision Madam Nigre said government's credit support for women was low and delay in coming and urged the authorities to address it.