Women urged to defuse political tension

Ghanaian women have been urged to rise up and defuse the political tension which is mounting in the run up to elections in December, a Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has urged.      Mr Emmanuel Tennyson Mensah, Gomoa West District Director of the NCCE, said women should talk to their husbands, sons and brothers on the need to conduct their political activities in a civil and peaceful manner.      Mr. Mensah made the call at separate ceremonies organised by the Ghana Beauticians and Hairdressers Association, and Dressmakers union, at Apam on challenges of Women's participation in governance.      He pointed out that since women and children suffered most in conflicts, they were enjoined to ensure that triggers of violence were prevented at the early stage.      Mr Mensah urged women to take interest in the decision-making process from the local to the national level.      He noted that since women formed the majority of the population, it would not be in their interest if they sat on the fence for the minority to decide for them.      Mr. Mensah urged them to use district assemblies as training grounds for contesting positions in the national assembly.      Mr. Stephen Agyei Yeboah, Principal field officer, NCCE called on society to remove social and cultural practices which hinder women's participation in the governing process. GNA