Sir Success Prince Duah Mensah congratulates the Ghanaian Parliament on 30 years of democracy and urges the advancement of women in politics for true democracy. Despite progress, women face barriers that restrict their political participation, and he calls for policies to support their entry into leadership roles. Mensah emphasizes that empowering women politically leads to better societal outcomes and stronger democracy.

1. ADVANCE THE COURSE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS
#FullParticipation
Today, Saturday, 25th
November 2023, I officially write to congratulate the Parliament of
Ghana for its thirty (30) years of continuous parliamentary democracy and promotion of
sustainable peace and security across the various regions in the country. It is a fact that
Parliament has advanced as we have seen so many changes from passing of many
important bills including the Right to Information Act, National Identification Authority
Act to increment in the number of Parliamentary seats to the current Rt. Hon. Speaker of
Parliament not having any connection with the ruling political party and a whooping forty
(40) out of the total Membership of the Main House of Parliament are women, just to
mention a few. We are happy that the Parliament of Ghana has made significant progress
as it was adjudged the Best Open Parliament in Africa for the year 2022 by the Open
Parliament Index. So we have made progress as a country with regards to our Legislation,
nevertheless there is still more to do.
We preach true democracy everywhere as a country and it is good. Nevertheless,
democracy without the active involvement of half of its population is not democracy. So,
in moving forward towards the attainment of true democracy, we need to deliberately
advance the course of women and the vulnerable in politics, peace and security.
With all due respect, I would like the Parliament of Ghana to use its noble platform to
advance the course of women in politics and security. Studies have shown that full
participation of women in democracy leads to sustainable peace and security. The
Parliament of Ghana in its next phase must come out with policies, programs and
strategies to remove the main obstacles women face when entering into politics. Though,
its difficult but it can be achieved so let’s start today.
In my constituency, Nhyiaeso Constituency and all across Ghana, we have very few
heroic women who are aspiring either as Assembly Members or Unit Committee
Members in the forth coming District Assembly Elections 2024. This is largely due to
structural, socioeconomic, institutional and cultural barriers, and as a result, many women
feel that they do not fit the mold of a leader, and therefore are not confident in pursuing
leadership roles. The Legislative Arm of Government upon consultation with experts can
set a benchmark for the representation of women in governmental institutions in order to
promote full equitable participation and also create and maintain a strong and vibrant
democracy in the country.
The truth is that, when women are empowered as political leaders, countries experience
high living standards and positive progress in education, infrastructure and health, and
this singularly promotes gender equity and strengthen our democracy. Ghana must
certainly move forward but we must all come together and be intentional about the
decisions of today so as to be assured of a brighter tomorrow.
#AdvanceTheCourseOfWomenInPolitics
SIGNED
SIR SUCCESS PRINCE DUAH MENSAH
PRESIDENT, PEACE OVER EVERYTHING MOVEMENT