The Affirmative Action Coalition in the Upper West Region has strongly rejected the recently shortlisted candidates for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) positions, citing the complete exclusion of women.
At a press conference, the group’s convener, Lydia Darlington Fordjour called on President John Dramani Mahama to uphold his commitment to appointing at least 30% women in leadership roles, as outlined in the NDC’s 2024 manifesto.
The coalition is demanding the immediate revision of the list to include qualified women, warning that failure to do so would undermine the Affirmative Action Law and gender equity in governance.
The Upper West Region has 11 Municipal and District Assemblies, and 33 candidates have been shortlisted for final scrutiny at the Jubilee House before their official appointment. However, the complete absence of women from the list has sparked outrage among gender advocacy groups, particularly the Affirmative Action Coalition.
The coalition argues that this development contradicts President John Dramani Mahama’s firm commitment to ensuring at least 30% female representation in governance, as outlined in the NDC’s 2024 manifesto.
They emphasize that the exclusion of women undermines the recently passed Affirmative Action Law, which seeks to promote gender equity in leadership positions.
According to the group, the Upper West Region already faces a gender imbalance in political representation, with no female Member of Parliament for the past eight years.
They describe the all-male shortlist for the MMDCE positions as a major setback, especially when the previous administration had at least three female District Chief Executives.
The coalition is calling on the President to reject the current list and ensure that at least four qualified women are appointed to leadership roles. They insist that true national development cannot be achieved if women are continually sidelined in decision-making processes.
