The Ayawaso East Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has engaged women groups in Nima in Accra on Ghana’s democratic and electoral practices.  

The Town Hall meeting of the diverse groups also sensitised the women on ways to overcome challenges faced in their quest to participate in democratic governance and electoral processes. 

Dr Imurana Mohammed, Director Programmes, Programmes, NCCE, speaking on the theme: “Empowering Women for Active Participation in Democracy and Governance”, said, the women’s population in Ghana was high but their contributions had been limited in governance and public space.

He said was important for women in communities like Nima to participate fully in the electoral activities and deepen the electoral process particularly as misinformation and disinformation had become a threat to peace, security and democracy.  

The Director said most communities, including Nima, seemed to have a gap in knowledge about the laws governing the procedures and processes of the 2024 general election and such an activity needed to be held regularly. 

The women groups were Queenmothers, market women, artisans’ associations, traders and students. Some of the topical issues discussed were the role of women in elections and governance, constitutional rights, the Affirmative Action Act and women’s perspectives on leadership journey.  

The women, in response, said lack of financial support, lack of confidence, hostile attitudes from their husbands, broken homes and marriages had been hurdles on the way to engage in local governance and nation-building activities. 

Madam Portia Akpene Adzakra, Municipal Director, NCCE, Ayawaso East, a facilitator, said, the programme focused on using women as a conduit for promoting peace , especially in the build-up of the elections as women played influential roles in the lives of young people. 

“The constitution doesn’t discriminate against women when it comes to taking up roles or duties. We hope this activity would enlighten them and motivate them to put themselves up for national development, she said. 

Hajia Bintah Haruna, Queenmother of Zamaramas, Greater Accra, urged the women to be assertive, and confident and take up roles within their communities, adding that they should work and educate their children, especially the girls.