Women activists are lobbying the presidency for a female to be appointed as Vice President of the country. The President, John Dramani Mahama, after assuming office Tuesday following the death of President John Evans Atta Mills, is currently in consultation to select a suitable candidate to fill the vacant Vice Presidential slot. Several names, including former Finance Minister Kwesi Botchway, Trade Minister Hanna Tetteh, Agric Minister Kwasi Ahwoi and Finance Minister Kwabena Duffuor, have surfaced in the media as possible candidates to fill the post. But Mercy Catherine Adjabeng, Communications and Advocacy Officer of Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) speaking on Election Headquarters on Joy FM Friday was of the view that the time is right for a woman to occupy the prestigious position. According to her, there are several capable women including Hanna Tetteh, Akua Sena Dansoa, Juliana Azumah Mensah, Faustina Nelson and Sherry Ayitey, who are all competent to handle the office of Vice President should they be given the nod. She said their argument for a female Vice President is purely based “on a fair representation for women,” in accordance to international treaties which Ghana is signatory to. Mercy Adjabeng argued that considering the fact that Ghana is a beacon of democracy across Africa, “there is nothing wrong if we at this point also want to make history by having a female Vice President.” Mr Daniel Annang, first Vice Chairman of the NDC speaking on the matter said although the party is committed to ensuring gender balance in Ghana, the ultimate decision lies in the hands of the President. “It is part of our promise that we would have wished to appoint about 40 percent of all public offices to women,” he recounted, stressing, “this very position, the onus lies on the Vice President … he will come out with a name that he believes will partner him appropriately.”