The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North Constituency in the Ahafo Region, Dr Freda Prempeh, has encouraged more women to take up roles in the forefront of national politics.
“There is the need for a radical social changeto put more women in the forefront of national politics in order to facilitate accelerated national growth, development and consolidate the gains of the nation’s fledgling multi-party democracy,” she noted.
According to her, as the world celebrated this year’s International Women’s Day, women must bear the responsibility of building the family as the first teachers of the child and the ultimate molders and cleaners of society.
The United Nations adopted March 8, every year, as the International Women’s Day, celebrated annually to highlight achievements of women, and push for women rights and progress and this year’s celebration was on the theme: ‘DigitalAll: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality’ to highlight the role of innovative technology in promoting gender equality and meeting the health and developmental needs of women and girls.
Dr Prempeh, the founder of the Ultimate Women Foundation, a non-governmental organisationfocusing on women empowerment, advocated aggressive social change to inspire more women to engage actively in politics and local governance to bridge the gender divide in nation building.
“There must be collective and decisive approach to tackle outmoded traditional practices inimical to the well-being, progress, growth and development of women and girls more proactively.
“The Foundation seeks to encourage, motivate indigenous, vulnerable women, girls to know their worth, empower and well position them to contribute to the progress, growth, development of their communities and the larger society since society cannot enjoy lasting peace, prosperity and progress, if women are left behind and relegated to the background in the country’s political space,” Dr Prempeh intimated.
She admonished women not to see themselves as inferior, instead take the challenge and remain at the forefront decision making processes and development at all levels of governance however, commended women who had distinguished themselves in politics, including, Naana Eyiah, Deputy Minister for the Interior and Akosua Osei-Opare, Chief of Staff among others adding that “as women we must all strive and emulate shining examples and can-do spirit of such stateswomen.”
Dr Prempeh raised concern about women still under-represented and had been gradually left behind in technological advancement, and called for support and assistance in tackling pressing challenges that discouraged them and girls to advance in technology.
She said technology had huge potentials to empower women and girls which created opportunities for them to build their future
