NDC Calls on NPP to Fill Running-Mate Position with Female Candidate

Strategic Insights -

The Majority Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahama Ayariga, has urged the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to select a female candidate as its running-mate to demonstrate its commitment to gender empowerment. The NDC has already made history by appointing Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as its running-mate and subsequently electing her as Ghana's first female Vice President. Ayariga believes that filling the running-mate position with a female candidate would increase the number of women in Parliament, allowing the President to choose ministers from a diverse pool of candidates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NDC has called on the NPP to select a female running-mate to demonstrate its commitment to gender empowerment.
  • The NDC has already appointed Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as its running-mate and elected her as Ghana's first female Vice President.
  • Ayariga believes that selecting a female running-mate would increase the number of women in Parliament.
  • The NPP is encouraged to allow female candidates to run unopposed in constituencies considered 'safe seats' in their strongholds.
  • The NDC has two women, Sarah Adwoa Safo and Mavis Hawa Koomson, who are MP for Dome Kwabenya and Mfantipam respectively, who were part of the previous ministers.
  • There are only 28 women who were appointed by President Mahama as mayors and Chief Executives of the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

Statistics:

  • 30% of females were promised by President Mahama to be appointed into his Cabinet.
  • Only 28 women were appointed by President Mahama as mayors and Chief Executives of the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.
  • Two women, Sarah Adwoa Safo and Mavis Hawa Koomson, served as ministers in President Mahama's Cabinet.

Sources:

  • Ghana News Agency (GNA) - The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga
  • Ghana News Agency (GNA) - The MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin