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The Chief Executive Officer of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Hon. Samuel Pyne, has called for the empowerment of women to take on leadership roles in governance. According to the Mayor, involving women in governance is essential for creating a more inclusive and equitable structure that values and benefits from women’s leadership.
Speaking at a town hall meeting organized by the African Women Leadership Network Ghana Chapter (AWLN), Hon. Pyne emphasized that women make up a significant portion of Ghana’s population, as revealed by the 2021 Population and Housing Census conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). He noted that this demographic fact necessitates the inclusion of women in decision-making processes at all levels of governance.
“Women possess the wisdom and knowledge to lead just as effectively as men. Encouraging women to take up roles in politics and governance can result in better outcomes for society,” he said. He further urged women to actively engage in all sectors of governance, highlighting the importance of Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which seeks to empower women in various areas for the betterment of the country.
Hon. Samuel Pyne made this call during the AWLN town hall meeting held at the CLOSAG Hall in Kumasi under the theme “Promoting Women’s Political Leadership Through Dialogue: The Elections 2024.”
Promoting Women’s Participation in Politics
The Chairperson of AWLN Ghana Chapter, Dr. Charity Binka, outlined the purpose of the meeting, which was to engage in dialogue about the low participation of women in politics and explore ways to increase the number of women in Ghana’s Parliament. She set an ambitious target to see at least 60 to 67 women elected as Members of Parliament in the upcoming December 7th general elections.
Dr. Binka stressed the need for greater public support for women candidates, noting that women who advocate for female representation are often not voting for women in elections. “We need to rally behind women who have the courage to contest elections. By showing them support, we give them the confidence that they are not fighting this battle alone,” she stated.
Empowerment for a Better Future
The meeting underscored the importance of dialogue in promoting women’s political leadership, encouraging both men and women to support female candidates in the upcoming 2024 general elections. The participants were reminded that empowering women is not just a benefit for women alone but for the entire country, as diversity in leadership fosters better decision-making and more balanced governance.
As the discussions on women’s political leadership continue, it remains clear that significant efforts are needed to ensure gender parity in governance, particularly in the political arena.
The event served as a platform for stakeholders to reflect on the current state of women’s political participation and how to create a supportive environment for more women to enter leadership positions. The KMA Mayor’s call for women’s empowerment aligns with broader global and national objectives of promoting gender equality and strengthening women’s roles in decision-making processes.
