Women in Ghanaian politics -Do you also agree with Oye Lithur that more women should venture into politics?
Former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur has called for more involvement of women in Ghanaian politics -a move she says will help curb the prevalent corruption rate in the country.
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Madam Lithur says that women have a bigger role in promoting accountability and transparency in governance, which cannot be exploited to its full potential until they are given prominence in public offices.
The former Gender minister said this while speaking at the maiden edition of the Progressive Organisation for Women’s Advancement (POWA) forum at the British Council in Accra on October 31. The forum among other things focused on women empowerment and the role of the Ghanaian woman in society.
In Ghana’s 60 years of democracy, only 35 women occupy the 275 seats in parliament. The minister who said it is discouraging added that the pattern will look same if more women do not venture into politics.
Madam Lithur continued that more female involvement in politics can be achieved by recruiting and nurturing young females such that they are empowered to take up leadership positions when presented with the opportunity.
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Citing a research done by World Bank, she pointed out that women have a higher chance of reducing embezzlement and other vices in governance than men do.
For this reason, Lithur said that women should be groomed in such a way that they are able to exude confidence and morality in the dispensation of their duties.
One of the essential attributes a woman should possess if she is to become a politician, Oye Lithur said is the ability to develop a thick skin in the course of her work.
The former minister pressed the need for female politicians to develop ‘thick-skin’ attitude in order to withstand the insults and vile attacks that will be directed at them.
Madam Lithur said that many women have had their wishes of engaging in politics and contribute to the development of the nation quashed by incessant attacks and insults from opponents.
She used herself as an example when she disclosed how she refused to bow to pressure from close relatives for her to prematurely end her political career.
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