Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has reiterated the need to have a truly inclusive and gender-balanced government.
According to him, nearly 54% of unemployed people in Ghana are women, thus necessitating why women have to be captured below the poverty line in Ghana.
He was speaking at the launch of the party’s Women’s Manifesto.
“Despite women’s significant contribution to our nation’s development, gender inequality remains pervasive, particularly in the informal sector, where 92% of workers are women often without safety nets. This is an important sector that contributes as much as between 30-40% of Ghana’s GDP. This situation has exacerbated poverty among women, as highlighted by the 2020 Census: which indicates that of Ghana’s 7.3 million poor people, the majority – 3.76 million – are women,” former President Mahama pointed out.
He therefore called on all well- meaning Ghanaians to rally their support for the NDC as they seek to bring into fruition, the bold visions for women empowerment.
“These numbers should not just shock us; they should spur us to act. These statistics tell a painful story. Behind each number is a woman – perhaps a mother, a sister, or a daughter – who works tirelessly every day but still goes to bed hungry,” he reiterated.
At the well-attended event, Ex-Prez Mahama expressed his elation at the enthusiasm of all Ghanaian women in welcoming the women’s manifesto.
The Women’s manifesto is a visionary plan devised by the flagbearer of the NDC to tackle the numerous economic and social challenges that confront women in their day-to-day activities.
The vision basically, places women of Ghana at the center of national development and governance, doing away with the ancient system where women are mostly sidelined in a governance system dominated by men.
Earlier in his address, the former President stated that his next NDC government will ensure a future where women lead at the highest levels of politics, promoting economic power amongst women and creating a system where women would have access to quality education and healthcare delivery.
“Women play a most critical role in our society and the NDC’s “Resetting Ghana” Manifesto, launched on 24th August 2024 recognizes this. We have made clear, in both policy and practice, that our Ghanaian women are not just beneficiaries of development – they are the architects of development."
“For us the NDC, our mission is simple: Ghanaian women matter. Ghanaian women are partners in development. And our Party has put forward proposals to ensure that women sit at the table of national decision-making, side by side with men.”
He therefore pledged to give opportunities to more women in order to have a fair representation of women within the governmental framework.
“This is not an empty promise; I have already shown my commitment through the nomination of a female running mate – a symbol of our inclusive and gender-balanced government. I am deeply honoured to have a woman of immense integrity as my running mate and, God willing, the next Vice President of Ghana. Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang will God willing, in January 2025 be Ghana’s first female Vice President,” Mr. Mahama said.
