Veteran Ghanaian actress, Akofa Edjeani has said she believes Ghana is ready for a female president.
The 51-year-old actress believes a woman would be a good leader for Ghana should one be elected as president.
Speaking in an interview on Kasapa 102.5Fm, the actress opined women are good managers and can handle the affairs of the country well.
Her comment follows the buzz after the recent appointment of Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang as the running mate of the National Democratic Congress [NDC].
She described the perception that women cannot attain the highest position of the land, as an unfortunate one.
She indicated that although women are guaranteed political participation rights under the 1992 Ghana Constitution, there is a lack of female representation in government.
The President of Women in Film and Television [WIFT Ghana] said she is surprised at those saying Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang would not be able to deliver as the running mate of John Mahama.
She said;
“I’m surprised at those attacking Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang saying she isn’t the best choice to be appointed Mahama’s running mate.”
Ms Akofa Edjeani noted that women are good servants and are able to take difficult decisions.
“If it is about serving, women are chosen for that task so why run this great woman down. Most of the hard decisions are taken by women and not men. I don’t know why women are rejected when they get the opportunity to serve as government officials. Most women are managers of the house.”
She said, “Mahama appointing a woman as a running mate is just a preliminary. A woman should be the president of Ghana.
Advocates have been campaigning to get Parliament to pass the Affirmative Action Bill to compel political parties and agencies to recruit more women.
When asked what she can offer if any government in power gives her the opportunity to serve or give a bit of advice to help restructure the creative arts sector, Ms Edjeani said;
“I will advise the government to establish a separate Ministry for Creative Arts. Tourism sector gets more support than Creative Arts so it will be of importance if a new Ministry is set up for it. Successive Governments have bullied the Arts sector for so long. Formerly, Arts and Culture was added to the Information Ministry and Sports Ministry.
“I think successive governments didn’t know the importance of Arts and Culture that is why even now it has been added to Tourism. Arts sector should be a Ministry on its own so it can function effectively.
“If the foundation of your building is weak, the building will certainly collapse in no time. I’ll also advise the Government to resource the National Commission on Culture to make it more efficient and effective.”
