A survey reveals generally low representation of women Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA), disconnection between citizens and sub- structures, great degree of mistrust, suspicion and very little co-operation between the assemblies and citizens in the Ashaiman Municipality.
These key findings were brought to the fore front at the Baseline Validation Workshop, in Ashaiman. The workshop was intended to ascertain the present levels of citizen’s engagement in local development planning processes and explore available mechanisms that could enhance citizen’s participation in the municipality.
Speaking at the workshop, the Senior Research Officer of the Institute for Democratic Governance –IDEG, Peter Fiamor , intimated that out of sixteen (16) member Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, only four (4) are women, representing twenty five percent (25%). He added that, with the low level of representation of women in the assembly, the power of the government to appoint representatives to the assemblies remains the most viable leverage in increasing the representation of women in ASHMA.
Mr. Fiamor also hinted that the seven zonal councils in the newly created ASHMA are yet to begin operation, hence the assurance of greater voice to citizens in the development and governance of their communities.
He however traced the mistrust, suspicion and minimal cooperation to lack of communication between citizens and the assemblies in the administration of the districts.
Mr. Fiamor has therefore recommended the need for effective increase in advocacy for the appointment of women and people with disability into the local government structures or other forms of affirmative action to ensure fair effective representation and the need for confidence building in short term which must be initiated by providing a platform to discuss the broad range of issues.
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Filed by: Regina Asamaoh
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