WHAT’S THE MEANING OF CHANGE IF IT WILL NOT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE?

I listen to discussions on politics and read about politics with keen interest at every level. I am always amazed at the passion, knowledge and ignorance with which people speak. Indeed Ghana has advanced in deepening democracy in the country and l feel very proud as a Ghanaian.

In just about 10 days Ghana will go for a presidential run-off; this time the race is between the two main political parties; National Democratic Congress (NDC) with the ‘change’ slogan and The National Patriotic Party (NPP) with the ‘moving forward slogan’. I am raising some questions about Grace’s blog. As a gender activist with a critical mind l like to ask the same questions in every situation. I hear and see people calling for change, change, change. But have you actually critically analysed issues and situations? Have you compared events before, now and after? Have you analysed the risk factors and looked at anticipated results of the change that you are calling for? Are you calling for change just because NPP has stayed two years in office and some government officials have become arrogant? Please let us not confuse assertiveness with arrogance! Have you dispassionately and using non-partisan and non-tribal lens analysed progress of development and women’s welfare in the country? What has been the record of both par ties when it comes to women and children. Which party has institutionalised a school feeding programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme? A word to the wise is enough!

My dearest sister, until you pause and do that and concretely establish reasons for change in a convincingly manner lets stop promoting change. What is the point in change if it is not going to improve the quality of lives of Ghanaians; women and children particularly but rather going to send us back to the dark days in Ghana. Stop comparing oranges with mangos and putting square pegs in round holes. Ghana can never be Zimbabwe nor vice versa.

AFTER ALL FORWARD EVER; LONG LIVE GHANA, LONG LIVE THE AFRICAN WOMEN’S MOVEMENT

Nafi Chinery
Programme Officer
Capacity Building

It is official: The 'blog off'

As you can imagine the women of AWDF are very political and we have been having very spirited discussions on politics. We easily agree on the importance of having women in parliament, women as decision makers, and on representational politics but when it comes to the subject of NPP and NDC (the two main political parties in Ghana) we are not all of 'one mind'.

To that end we have decided to have a 'blog off' between the various political factions. Grace has kicked off with her support for 'Yeresesam' and I invite all my colleagues to join in.

Nana Sekyiamah
Programme Officer
Fundraising & Communications

YERESESAM AS WE MOVE FORWARD

Ghana’s political atmosphere is charged with a lot of slogans in the bid to choose the president of the nation. How exciting!

Ghanaians are very sharp and wide awake to the democratic dispensation prevailing in the country and elsewhere on the African continent now. Surely, we must continue to move our country forward, but we NEED TO CHANGE as we do that. WHY?

BECAUSE, we need to learn lessons from our sister nations. Keeping one party in government for more than two terms is a recipe for complacency, arrogance, perpetuation of selfishness, greed, corruption and what have you. We all can rightly guess the consequences of such behaviours all over Africa. It’s not wise to experience all situations before advising oneself. Sometimes, one needs to LEARN from other people’s experiences. We know of the Idi Amins, the Mobutu Seseseko’s of old and we are not mindless of the Mugabe’s of today. Ghanaians do not need to get there at all!

We are blessed with many great women and men in Ghana. The two contestants for the presidency, Professor Atta Mills and Nana Akuffo Addo Danquah are all great and illustrious sons of Ghana. They all merit the presidential position. But the thing is the National Patriotic Party (NPP) has reigned for two terms so that‘s ok for now. The CPP has proved to Ghanaians that they are not ready yet. May be they would by the year 2016 when we would change again (one term is reasonably too short). Otherwise we bring NPP back into governance. My people, lets CHANGE while we move forward.

To this end, I urge you all, VOTEZ Professor Mills!!!

Grace Amenyogbeli
Administration Manager