Aaron Michael Oquaye, a former speaker of the 7th Ghanaian Parliament and University don, has decried the low women participation in lawmaking in Africa.
Oquaye, who is a lecturer at the University of Ghana, said African political system is polarised and does not favour women.
According to him, “Our constitution mandates that all persons must be treated equally .Yet what do we see in Africa today, even in the face of modern development, we need to enforce women empowerment and enhancement of equal rights.”
He suggested that “We should get to a point as a nation where seats would be allocated to women to encourage their participation in politics and governance.
“Our national affirmative action law is highly important to correct the gender disparity in our political, economic, social endeavors; all women should be carried along in the political process.”
Aaron said this in a keynote address through zoom during the Bridge Leadership Foundation (TBL) and launch of emerging political leaders fellowship with the theme “Fate of the Union, a Case Study for International Political Leadership in Africa.”
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Oquaye also said that in view of the attendant dispute in African elections, “I suggest that Sub-Region, we examine the possibility of establishing a West Africa a Electoral Commission (WAEC) to help us conduct and supervise all national elections.
“It’s operation will take a leaf from the West African Examination Council, it will work in tandem with National Electoral Commission bodies and ensure fairness and justice.”
The Bridge Leadership Foundation noted that in Nigeria and in most African countries “there’s no pipeline for the emergence of political leaders.
“Younger people should be nurtured and trained and that leadership training should commence at a tender age.”
Liyel Imoke, founder and chief executive officer of the Foundation in his introductory remarks via Zoom, said understanding the challenges that would lead to better and good governance is one of the objectives of the (TBLF).
Imoke, who is also a former governor of Cross River State, said raising a generation of leaders that would take Africa to the next level is key to the Foundation.
The former governor also described the keynote speaker from Ghana, Oquaye, a professor, and Speaker of the 7th Parliament of the Fourth Republic, as a man of many parts, who has made his mark in the legal profession.
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