Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) advocating the increased participation of women in the forthcoming district level elections have been urged to harmonise their plans and strategies to avoid duplication and waste of resources. The Chairman of Regional Intersectoral Gender Network (RISEGNET), a local NGO based in the Upper East Region, Mr. Daud James Abang-Gos, said in view of the fact that most gender NGOs working for women participation in the forthcoming district level elections work towards the same goal, there was the need for effective collaboration. He said judging from the number of women representation in the last District Assemblies in the Upper East Region, it was in the collective interest of stakeholders to encourage and assist women to participate at all levels of governance. He said the number of women in the last Assemblies stood at 55 with 21 elected and 34 appointed members and indicated that RISEGNET has a three year strategic plan to increase the number of women in leadership position and decision making. Mr. Abang-Gos said the above during a one-day stakeholder's forum to harmonise plans by partner NGOs to get women into the Municipal and District Assemblies which was organised by RISEGNET in collaboration with ActionAid Ghana at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. A programme Manager of ActionAid Ghana, Mr. Gregory Derry, said they should not only focused on increasing the number of women in the various district assemblies but should work towards generating a number of competent women to take up leadership positions in the region. He said ActionAid had been supportive towards this cause and had budgeted GH¢l33, 383.00 towards this project but had so far spent GH¢ 15,000 with their partner NGOs in the region mostly in advocacy work for increased participation of women in decision making, adding that 200 community women leaders have benefited from this training programmes. Mr. Derry implored the NGO's that for the purpose of the forthcoming district level elections which they have a common interest in getting more women participating, they should map up common strategies for effective implementation. Source: Daily Graphic