Former Upper East Regional Minister, Tangoba Abayage, has explained that the gradual over monetization of Ghana’s democratic processes is greatly hampering the progress of women in politics and leading to few women being interested in leadership.
Aside the issue of monetization, family life and marriage are also contributory factors the former minister believes are working against the progress of women and their ability to rise in the political space.
She explained that there are instances some husbands fail to allow their wives to go into politics while many think that women who are progressing in politics are trading their bodies for such progress and thus, makes it difficult for some men to allow their wives to do politics.
“You need huge sums of money both local level elections to national elections. Most women don’t have that kind of money and it is always difficult for women to get connected to those who can give them money without being tagged as being a prostitute”.
She added, “As for politics, you got to seek permission from your husband and then he says no. Immediately he says no, that’s it”.
The one-time Ambassador to Italy in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the 2024 Young Females Platforms Conference held Monday, May 27, 2024 at the Bolgatanga Senior High School (BIGBOSS) and being spearheaded by ActionAid Ghana in the Upper East Region, said there is the need for some norms to change to pave the way for many women to embrace leadership in critical areas.
“They got the opportunity to be here, they should be able to effect change in their own families, talk to the communities, encourage the young ones who are coming after them to venture into leadership. When you are in school and you know that you qualify for a certain post, go for it. We shouldn’t always be playing the second fiddle” .
According to ActionAid Ghana, creating an enabling environment for adolescent girls and young women to build their confidence, capabilities and leadership skills is central to realizing gender equality.
One of its interventions in this direction is the annual Young Female Platform (YFP) conference.
The objective of the conference is to bring girls closer to influential role models of high repute who will inspire, motivate and challenge them to rise above their challenges to reach greater heights and make positive impacts in the development of their communities and the nation at large.
It is on this score that the former minister while hoping that many parents and husbands will encourage their wives to take up leadership positions, is equally urging young girls to embrace education and remain assertive.
Speaking during the the conference, Yakubu Akuka, a Programme Officer with ActionAid Ghana, urged the school girls to start leadership from the various positions in school as he discloses that his outfit is looking forward to Ghana producing its first female president.
