Kumasi, Aug 03, GNA - The Kumasi Ecumenical Women's Council has refuted a claim by a pastor that a woman should not occupy the position of the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive because it was the seat of the Asanteman Council and therefore a taboo. Evangelist Sarfo Adu predicted doom for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) because of Madam Patricia Appiagyei has been made the Metropolitan Chief Executive and that she should vacate the position by the end of August. This was contained in a statement read by Mrs Victoria Priscilla Darkwa, the President of the women's group, at a press conference in Kumasi on Monday.

The group, which comprised women from the Presbyterian, Methodist, Catholic and Anglican Churches, said the Metropolitan Chief Executive position "is not the seat of Asanteman neither is it a male prerogative." "It is a seat of local government backed by the Local Government Act 462." The statement reminded the pastor that the "seat of Asanteman is at the Asanteman Council which has 65 paramouncies under the able leadership of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene". It warned the evangelist not to use the Holy Spirit to support his "deviant ideas" since the Holy Bible does not discriminate as contained in Galatians 3: 28 - "In Christ there is neither male nor female".

"The role outlined in the Bible for the woman is wonderful and glorious since it was through the Virgin Mary that the saviour of the world was born and Deborah, a married woman, held two offices one as a prophetess and the other as ruler or judge." The statement said the sterling deeds of women in the contemporary world portrayed what women could achieve when given key positions of leadership.