The only way the African woman can succeed in politics and contribute positively to the advancement of democracy on the continent is to gain economic power says, Ms Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, the Executive Director of African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF). She said, when African women politicians are economically sound they are able to compete on a level playing field with their male counterparts. Ms Adeleye-Fayemi was speaking at a forum organised by the three coalitions: NETRIGHT, Coalition for Domestic Violence Legislation and Women’s Manifesto Coalition in Accra on Thursday. It was under the theme "Deepening Ghana’s democracy through strengthening women’s representation in institutions of Governance." The Executive Director of AWDF pointed out that economic power for female politicians is so critical that without it no woman can make an impact on the political landscape. "Women need this power so that they can be able to finance political campaigns, rallies and for the sponsorship of other programmes and activities," she said. Touching on the recent elections in Nigeria, Ms Adeleye-Fayemi expressed her unhappiness about the use of armed policemen and soldiers during elections in Africa. This, she said, puts a lot of fear in the electorate and this prevents them from coming out to exercise their franchaise. Ms Adeleye-Fayemi called on African women to form alliances so that they can have a strong network and a powerful bargaining power. Dr. Dzodzi Tsikata of Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, University of Ghana, who chaired the occasion in her closing remarks called on women to be united in all sphere of life. This she said would help project a good image of the African woman in all aspects of life. Source: The Ghanaian Times