The New Patriotic Party’s Member of Parliament for the Ablekuma West constituency, Ursula Owusu-Ekufful has lashed out at political parties for failing honour their promise of including more women in governance.

She said if the country wishes to develop, the inclusion of women in developmental issues should be strongly considered.

Speaking on Peace FMs’ morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, the MP said, “we cannot continue to develop our country with half of our human resource". 

"The men need women by their side. We have to walk the talk because women are important. Their role in national development cannot be underestimated.”

Their inclusion is essential otherwise “we have failed the commitment we made to the people of Ghana”, she added.

Every election year, political parties in the country make a commitment to increase female representation in parliament. But it seems this commitment has not been followed through.

Ursula Owusu-Ekufful Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West

With 275 members of parliament, only 30 of this number are women and Mrs Ekufful finds this trend distasteful.

Citing her own party NPP as one that has failed to increase the number of women in decision-making positions in the party, the MP said, “we must do something to demonstrate that women matter in governance.”

The party’s national delegates’ conference which was held in Tamale last year had only three women representatives but even then "only one woman was voted and that is very appalling", she added.

“We should be ashamed of ourselves. We must demonstrate that we have use for women, they are not only good for service and sweeping.”

Mrs. Ekufful tasked all political parties, to before the next elections, make a commitment – one they will follow through to ensure that the number of female representatives at all levels is increased. 

"The lip service must stop", she added.

She encouraged women to be bold, step out and take their rightful places in these political parties and in all spheres of society.

“We have the power and the numbers but we have failed to make use of it. They are treating us as comforters, but we are more than that. Women must stand up and act against this trend.”  

She said there was nothing wrong with women demanding and taking their place in society because it is their democratic right and that nothing must stop them from doing so.

With constant pressure and competition from men, one of the greatest challenges women have to deal with as they aspire to higher heights, the MP said that should not deter them from moving up in the society.

She said the movement must start now because it was not late to strike and that “this will serve as motivation for others who have been prevented from stepping up.”