The women of Agortime have expressed their deep disappointment and frustration over the government’s failure to appoint Madam Vicentia Sename Leyo as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Agortime-Ziope District. The women, in a strongly worded press statement, described the decision as a missed opportunity to advance inclusive governance, gender equity, and women’s empowerment in the district.
According to the statement, the women of Agortime have long contributed significantly to the district’s development through agriculture, trade, education, and community service. Despite their efforts, they continue to face barriers to leadership roles. They had high hopes that the appointment of a new DCE would break this trend by giving Madam Leyo, a vibrant and industrious woman known for her active role in the last elections, the opportunity to lead.
The women argue that appointing Madam Leyo would have demonstrated the government’s commitment to gender equality, inspiring young girls in the district to aspire to leadership positions. They noted that the NDC’s 2024 manifesto promises a minimum of 30% political appointments for women, a Women’s Development Bank, and initiatives to support women in agriculture.
However, the appointment of Mr. Klu Odikro as DCE has sparked dissatisfaction among the women, who believe his leadership style does not align with their aspirations. They expressed concerns over his perceived conflict of interest due to his involvement in a local savings and loan scheme, which they fear may hinder support for broader financial inclusion initiatives.
The women are calling on the government to reconsider the appointment and are urging traditional authorities, opinion leaders, civil society organizations, and the government to advocate for fair and inclusive representation. They also appeal to the President to consider appointing Madam Leyo to another significant role if she is not selected as DCE.
The women of Agortime remain committed to advocating for gender-inclusive leadership and vow to continue their fight for representation and equal opportunities at the district level. They plan to hold community dialogues, advocacy campaigns, and petition relevant authorities to ensure that women’s voices are not marginalized.
