The engagement which took the form of a Town Hall Meeting and which had representatives of market women, hairdressers and dressmakers associations, Christian mothers and queen mother’s among others was aimed at promoting the participation of women in the electoral process as voters and elected officials.

According to the Techiman municipal director of the Commission Mr. Joseph Adomah, women’s participation in governance is a critical component of inclusive development, sustainable democracy and equitable policy making.

He said although some progress has been made in increasing women representation in governance globally, significant gaps still remain adding that achieving gender equality in leadership is essential to addressing issues that marginalize them in society.

In an opening remark, the Adontenhemaa and acting queen mother of the Techiman traditional area Nana Yeboah Asuamah expressed her gratitude to the NCCE and its funding partner for the opportunity adding that women participation in governance is key to development.

Making a presentation on women participation in governance, the Bono East regional director of the Commission Mr. Joseph Kwaku Yeboah said although women form 50.7% of the country’s population, only 6% of elected assembly members countrywide are females quoting statistics from the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana NALAG and the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

He identified patriarchy or male dominance pervading Ghanaian culture as an aspect of our social system that makes the role of women subservient to that of males adding that the unequal playing field created by political parties in terms of resource availability goes to deepen the disadvantage suffered by women.

Mr. Yeboah suggested a rise in the proposed female appointees to the various district, municipal and metropolitan assemblies from 30% to 50% to help boost their representation at the local level.

The Bono East regional chairman of the National Peace Council Reverend Prince Owusu Aseku said conflict resolution is the process and techniques used to address disputes with the objective of obtaining peaceful and mutually acceptable outcomes.

 He indicated that women can play a key role in the resolution of conflicts if they are given increased roles in decision making adding that a concerted effort at creating awareness on the importance of the role of women in society could help advance this cause.