Addressing journalists at a press conference after a successful vetting of applicants vying for the 23 MMDCE seats in the Central Region, Professor Asiedu says over 150 aspirants filed for nomination but only five were female which is very disappointing.
According to him, out of the total number, only 69 applicants were shortlisted of which only four were women.He therefore encourages the Women Wing of the party to involve its members in taking up vacant positions in the party and government to drive to fruition the NDC’s gender equality agenda.
Meanwhile, Professor Richard Kofi Asiedu debunks bribery allegations during the vetting process, testifying that the process was fair, transparent and successful of which no one was discriminated against on grounds of bribe acceptance.
He said they were able to take the applicants through all the necessary processes and were able to vet them very well.
“This vetting happens to be one of the most transparent of all vettings ever happened in the history of this region; in the sense that, the scorecard is so open that we give it to every individual, thus, the eight (8) people. So, the marks you score for each individual cannot be the same at the other side. So, independently after the processes, we combine the marks and get the accurate figure,” Prof. Asiedu said.
However, he admits that some members on the Committee tried to favour certain applicants but were unsuccessful.
“Members were trying to change the status quo through influences. But if you go and take somebody’s money, the calculations will expose you because the mark I will give is not what you will want me to give,” he assured.
He emphasises the credibility and transparency of the vetting process having applied all the rules of engagement, hence, confident that all the 69 selected applicants awaiting further scrutiny and possible approval in Accra will be men and women of integrity.
Source: Henry Donkor