Five women from V/R to go to Parliament
The Volta Region, one of the strongholds of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has produced five women out of the 26 parliamentarians elected in the just-ended election.
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The NDC swept 25 seats, with the opposition, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), winning one seat.
The five female MPs-elect, made up of two new entrants and three incumbents, were all elected on the ticket of the NDC, in the northern part of the region, and they fought a ‘fierce battle’ to go to Parliament right from the primaries to the main election.
The outcome of the election has increased the female caucus of Members of Parliament from the Volta Region from three to five.
Four other women who contested and lost were Ms Melody Johnson Dedo, Ho West, Ms Justine Kumordzi Onai, Hohoe Constituency, and Madam Edem Mensah, Keta Constituency, all on the ticket of the National Democratic Party (NDP), and Madam Gbedjeh Leberty Cynthia, Ketu North, on the ticket of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP).
Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso
Two new members
The youngest among the five, a 27-year-old law student, Ms Joycelyn Tetteh, and the District Chief Executive of Afadjato South, Ms Angela Oforiwa Alorwu-Tay, would be in parliament for the first time representing North Dayi and Afadjato South constituencies respectively.
The other three who retained their seats are the Volta Regional Minister, Ms Helen Adwoa Ntoso, for Krachi West, the Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Dela Sowah, representing Kpando Constituency, and MP for Hohoe, Dr Bernice Adiku Heloo.
Ms Tetteh is considered a novice in mainstream politics although she started student politics at the university in 2008 and was part of the judicial committee of TEIN-UCC and women organiser.
She made a positive step to go to Parliament when she defeated the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi, Mr George Loh, and two others at the parliamentary primary held in November last year.
Among all the promises made during the campaign, her constituents expect her to improve on the quality of education in her area, as she has indicated that quality education for her people is her topmost priority.
She intends solving issues concerning education by providing teaching and learning materials to most of the schools, if not all, and to lead a campaign to ensure that all school-age children end up in the classroom.
Incumbents
The MP for Hohoe, Dr Heloo, had a ‘cool chop’ retaining the parliamentary seat for the second time after polling 35,437 votes out of the 42,730 total valid votes cast, beating four strong male contenders.
Dr Bernice Adiku Heloo
She said she believed she had made impact on her constituents with the number of projects advocated for her jurisdiction, and for that reason she had been given the nod for the second time, promising to provide selfless leadership, and address challenges in the constituency for the next four years.
The DCE for Afadjato South, Madam Alorwu-Tay, had made a successful crossover from the executive to the legislature, by winning the parliamentary election.
During the debate organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in her constituency before the election, she indicated that persons with disability and the aged should enjoy the social interventions from government to improve their living conditions.
Angela Alorwu-Tay
For her part, Madam Adjoa Ntoso also convincingly beat four strong contenders to retain her seat for the second time.
Hard work
Madam Ntoso, who has earned the nickname ‘Margaret’ for hard work, has actively participated in the activities of the NDC, from the formation stages of the party, and has occupied some positions, including serving as a senior official of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and as a Member of Parliament for the Krachi East Constituency and then as the Volta Regional Minister.
She has chalked up successes in the area of promoting peace, and has been rewarded for her efforts, including receiving the Best Regional Minister Award.
As a Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Dela Sowah developed the passion to assist in protecting the rights of children, persons with disabilities and the vulnerable, including the elderly. Her constituents praised her for helping solve water challenges in Kpando and contributing to educational and road projects.
Madam Dela Sowah