Madam Comfort Ablometi, Volta Regional Director of the Department of Women of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, on Friday observed that the lack of development in Africa was partly due to the low representation of women in the decision-making process. She said women formed important human resource base and that "the visibility of women and their opportunities for influencing decisions in their communities would enhance development," in African countries. Madam Ablometi was speaking at a day's capacity building workshop for 40 selected assemblywomen in the Region under the auspices of the Department of Women. It was to help make assemblywomen effective and self-reliant to enable them to take firm and important decisions towards the socio-economic development of their areas. Madam Ablometi noted that women were likely to be more committed if involved in local governance because "they already have practical home and community level experience in planning, health, water and sanitation, education and marketing etc." She called on African governments to ensure that women participated in decision-making at all levels towards a speedy and sustainable development. "If development efforts are to achieve desired results, there should be increased women participation in local governance," Madam Ablometi stated. Madam Ablometi entreated the Assemblywomen to eschew petty jealousies and work together to make life better for the vulnerable in their communities. Mrs. Charity Kwawukume, Ho Municipal Director of Girl Child Education of the Ghana Education Service, advised the participants to acquire more skills to enable them to push the development of their areas forward. Source: GNA