The Member of Parliament (MP) for La Dade-Kotopon, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has called for a peaceful, issue-based campaign as the National Democratic Congress goes to the polls to elect constituency executives this weekend.
She advised candidates, particularly the women cleared to contest the various positions, to campaign on how they would strengthen their respective branches and also encourage more women to join the party.
In a strategic meeting with female aspirants contesting various positions, the MP, who is also the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, delivered a clear and passionate message: “Let ideas win, let peace prevail and let women lead.”
“Conduct issue-based campaigns devoid of personal attacks, insults and character assassination.” Ms Sowah stated.
Historic number
The meeting, held at the constituency office in La, last Thursday, brought together all 13 women who had filed nominations to contest for constituency executive positions, a historic number in the political history of La Dade-Kotopon.
Ms Sowah, who had risen from local activism to become one of the most visible and formidable female voices in Parliament, told the aspirants that how they campaigned was as important as whether they won.
The deputy minister noted that La Dade-Kotopon, being one of the most cosmopolitan and politically vibrant constituencies in the Greater Accra Region, must set an example for other constituencies to follow.
She urged them to hold peaceful campaigns and ensure that the entire process remained peaceful from start to finish, stressing that "without peace, we cannot develop our constituency, and without peace, we cannot build our nation.
She further cautioned that personal attacks left wounds that remained long after elections, weakening the party's ability to unite for the general election.
“Our party has always prided itself as a party rooted in grass-roots participation, and as such, internal elections must not be allowed to destroy the unity that has been built over the years.
"After October 25 and 26, we must all work together again as one NDC family in La. If you insult your sister today, how will you work with her tomorrow?" she asked.
Internal elections
Ms Sowah took time to educate the aspirants and party supporters on the constitutional mandate of the constituency elections.
She explained that per the NDC Constitution, the primary goals of the exercise were an opportunity for executives at the branch, constituency, regional and national levels to renew their mandate based on performance.
Also, the internal elections were intended to usher in new officers where necessary, to inject fresh ideas and energy, and thirdly to strengthen the party structures, deepen internal democracy and consolidate unity.
Affirmative Action Act
The MP, who was the first female to serve as the Municipal Chief Executive Officer of the La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly, also took time to explain the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act, 2024, which she described as a historic victory for Ghanaian women.
She said, among other things, that the Act provided for a minimum of 30 per cent representation of women in all appointments and progressively aimed for 50 per cent by 2030, in line with Ghana's international commitments.
"The law came specifically to address the long-standing under-representation of women in leadership and decision-making," she said.
Ms Sowah, herself a beneficiary of increased women’s participation and a strong advocate for gender equality, said the presence of 13 women in the La Dade-Kotopon contest was practical proof that the Act was already inspiring confidence.
"When I look at these 13 courageous women seated here, I see the future of Ghana. I see the spirit of the Affirmative Action Act in action," she said.
