Nana Akosua Akomah, Krontihemaa (Queen mother) of Sunyani Traditional Area, has expressed concern about the outmoded
traditional values that continue to undermine the integrity of women in the decision making process.
   
She called on the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to actively involve women in their activities in the planning of development projects.
   
Nana Akomah was contributing to a discussion at an Interface Meeting on Women in Decision Making in Sunyani.
   
It was organised by 6th March Foundation, a Sunyani-based non-governmental Organisation (NGO) in collaboration with Sunyani Municipal Assembly and sponsored by IBIS West Africa, an international NGO.
   
It was on the theme: "Improving local governance for development," and was attended by assembly members, traditional authorities, women groups and religious bodies.
   
Nana Akomah noted that women who form a chunk of the country’s population have been relegated to the background for a long time and said it was time to rectify the anomaly.
   
She deplored the lifestyles of contemporary girls who dress indecently and engage in illicit sexual practices and stressed the need for society to revisit some cultural values such as puberty rites to instil a high sense of discipline amongst them.
   
Mrs. Elizabeth Frimpong, Executive Director of the Foundation underscored the need for women to be empowered economically, politically and socially to enable them to contribute meaningfully in local governance.
   
She said the Foundation had for the past five years organised such meetings to explain and broaden the knowledge of women on the importance to participate in the decision making processes.
   
Nana Owusu Obrempong, Chief of Atronie, advised husbands to encourage their wives to participate in the local government system, noting that it would help alleviate the plight of women and children who are vulnerable in society.
   
Mr. Gyamfi Ameyaw, Sunyani Municipal Co-ordinating Director, who presided, urged the participants to use the knowledge they had acquired to help bring about positive change in their communities.

GNA/DS