A Voice from the Voiceless

Dear uncle Baba, I meet you with diplomatic pleasantries from the camp of the mothers of this noble nation. It has been a while since their faintly echoed voices reached your desk. You seem not to have present memories about them as the years pass by. You seem to have forgotten of the famous Yaa Asantewa, a woman who led men to war.

It is a quick reminder to you that the moon had gone to bed while the ring of modern bells had called the sun to dance to the tune of contemporary demands, the demand of women to be recognized and empowered.

Uncle Baba, I pen with regret that over decades of advocacy and policy appropriation for gender empowerment, the country’s development is still lagging behind as its “big brains” remained untapped. 
At your desk is a secretary, perhaps a cleaner as well, are they males or females? Take a minute to answer these questions before you move ahead: who is your director, a male or female? And how many women Directors or Chief Executive Officers do you know?

It is worth bowing with regret and in shame that, in my own description, our bent discrimination against women has left this country in its present condition, until the gap is bridged, this country will remain as it is until Christ returns.

As Margaret Mead, a cultural anthropologist admonishes, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Pondering over this call, I strongly trust that if you believe in your thoughts and commitment to seeing women as the drivers of the nation’s development, it will change the status quo through your actions towards those believes and commitments. Did you see status quo? Yes I said status quo. What is the status quo? It is that society defined women as inferior to men. Men are regarded as leaders and women as subordinates.

Yes, uncle Baba, spin your swivel chair towards the law making body of the land, how many women are there to have the views of women in this country adequately represented? Thirty-five  female Law Makers out of two hundred and seventy-five members of parliament is too small a number for description.

Rightly noted by Eleanor Roosevelt, “one’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes… and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.” Eleanor is calling on all not to only believe in the philosophy of women empowerment but to express it in the choice they make through, perhaps, elections.

In spite of the campaign launched by United Nations agencies and organization alongside the laudable policies of the country to elevate women to their rightful status in decision making, the situation still remains a challenge. 
Taking a glimpse of the  Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for example, is she not capable enough in her leadership endeavor? 
Uncle, my question still remains that, what prevents Ghana from having a female leader?

In my own perspective, the answer is not too far-fetched. It is our African mentality of perceiving women as inferior and not capable of playing any good, effective and efficient leadership roles. In some parts of Africa, it is an abomination for a woman to lead the male rather, she should be led whether or not she is more intelligent, smart and capable than the man.

This unwarranted and disdain believe has let Ghana and Africa in general to wallow in leadership crises day-in-day-out.

As you read through this letter, think through with me as to the best possible ways of rethinking female leadership in Africa in general and Ghana in specific.

The hand shivers with astonishment running through the veins as I pen down these single opines of my. 
Having grown up in a community where the youngest man is seen as superior to the oldest female and where women recognition is at its barest level, I do not hesitate a moment to be  believe that the nation’s development challenges is as a result of that.

The light is dawn and the darkness is overcome. Step out from wherever you are, suspend whatever you are doing and join the few brave women who have chosen to distinguish themselves and are ready to exploit their knowledge for the growth of this humble nation of ours. 
Help raise the flag of these courageous women who are ready to break the bounds and to take their rightful places in their societies in spite of the accompanying humiliating treatment.

Uncle Baba, as you relax on your swivel chair in front of your coffee table, think of your role in getting these ambassadors of development in peace and unity to their deserving levels after every sip of your cup.