NDC candidate is sole woman elected in Upper East(D/G, Tuesday, December 11, 2012 Page 11)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The National Democratic Congress, (NDC), parliamentary candidate elect for Pusiga the constituency Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba, succeeded as the only female parliamentary candidates to emerged victorious at he just ended polls out of the six that filed to contest the Upper East Region. 63 persons including six women persons filed to contest in all 15 constituencies in the region. By the close of day, however, it was only Hajia Ayamba who carried the day polling 16,174 to defeat her closest contender, Mohammed Imoro Asoko of the NPP who garnered 7,749 votes. A teacher by profession, Hajia Ayamba, has been two times National Deputy Propaganda Secretary of the NDC, Deputy Constituency Organizer, Constituency Women Organiser, Deputy Upper East Regional Women Organiser in 1994, Regional Women Organiser, also became the Deputy National Women Organiser in 2000. The other aspirants who failed to make the mark for women’s representation in parliament were, Madam Diana Abuyiya Assuure of the NPP who secured 11,118 votes as against NDC’s Albert Abongo, who had 18,609. Former MP and Deputy Regional Minister, Madam Agnes Chigabatia of the NPP also lost her bid to recapture the her seat when she had 5,690 as against the NDC’s James Agalga who polled 10, 792 The other female aspirant who lost out was Madam Paulina Atiik Morton Bruce who contested on the ticket of NPP. She had 2,114 as against PNC’s Alhassan Azong, the sole PNC representation in the legislature who had 6,048 votes. Madam Zaliya Ibrahim who stood on the ticket of the CPP in the Bawku Central constituency faced a tough tasked and only came out with 151 as against the eventual winner, Mahama Ayariga. Madan Akugri Laadi, candidate of the of the PNC in the Tempane constituency polled 124 as against 13, 918 secured by Mr. David Adakudurugu who had 13, 918 votes. Overall, women representation in parliament from the region, have generally not being encouraging. In previous elections, females have not had it all rosy in their bid to make it to the house of legislation. It should not come as a surprise to many, mainly due to the patriarchal nature of the society. A system that does not encourage women to aim for the top, inspite of the many push offered. In the 2008, elections, six women contested seats in the Upper East Region out of which none emerged winners in that race.They were Ms Rhodalin Imoru Ayarna, (CPP, Bawku Central), Ms Evelyn Lamisi Anabila,(CPP, Bolgatanga central constituency) and Mercy A. Alima Musah, (NPP,Bolgatanga Central constituency). The rest were Madam Agnes A. Chigabatia, (NPP, Builsa North) Madam Gifty Ayavuuk, (DFP, Builsa South) and Madam Grace Akua Yinmadug, (DFP, Talensi constituency) At the 2004 general election, the number of female MP aspirants was also six out pof which only one, Madam Agnes Chigabatia Asangalisah succeeded to go to parliament. She served for a tern but lost her re-election bid in 2008. Others such has the late Madam Hawa Yakubu and Madam Fati Seidu have had the chance of representing women in the region in parliament after contesting elections during this forth republic. The late Hawa Yakubu was Member of Parliament for Bawku Central between 1993 – 1997. She was succeeded by Hajia Fati Seidu who served from 1997 to 2001. The late Hawa Yakubu made a comeback in the 2000 elections and served for a term before losing to Mr. 2001 to 2005. -End- Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh