Africa's Feminist Thinkers | Gifty Ohene

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Honourable Gifty Ohene-Konadu

Ghana Deputy Minister Trade Industry Private Sector and President's Special Initiative.

When I returned from AGI, I was seconded to a newly created MINISTRY of WOMEN and CHILDREN'S AFFAIRS to assist in establishing the Ministry. I was in charge of Projects. Under this unit, I executed the following Projects:

WOMEN DEVELOPMENT FUND -Funding was sourced from Government and the Japanese Embassy.

TRAFFIKING IN CHILDREN- In collaboration with IOM trafficked children were rescued.

WOMEN IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE- Advocated for women to come up and contest for positions in Local Assemblies.

I was appointed as a councillor to the Asante Akyem South Assembly where I served for two years. I resigned from the civil service in 2004 to contest for the Parliamentary seat of the Asante Akyem South Constituency on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). I started with Primaries where I secured 75 votes out of 120 to win the ticket of NPP. I won the main contest with total votes of 24,000 as against my contender who secured 12,000. The margin was commendable and applauded by all.

I was made a Deputy Minister of Trade Industry, Private Sector and The Presidents' Special Initiative in March 2005, with responsibility for Small and Medium enterprises, a position which I hold to date.

In parliament, I am a member of the Selection and Appointments committee.

Unpublished works

Background of Women in Local Government in Ghana