Information Note

What is the Women In Politics Training (WIPT)?

The Women in Politics Training (WIPT) Programme is an initiative of ABANTU for Development,   the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and Women in Broadcasting (WIB). The three organisations are in a collaborative relationship under the framework of the Women’s Manifesto for Ghana to deepen women’s political participation in the country. The WIPT specifically seeks to strengthen the leadership capacity of women in all the political parties in Ghana. The political parties are: Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Convention People’s Party (CPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP) and People’s National Convention (PNC). The programme is structured into seven modules. During the period of its organisation, participants go through a two-day training on selected topics over a weekend.

The WIPT was initiated in December 2005 and has been successfully implemented three consecutive times. The first was implemented during the period December 2005 – June 2006 while the second spanned the period November 2007 – May 2008.The third started in July 2009 and ended in March 2010. The fourth which is expected to be expanded into ten modules will commence in August 2010.

Who can Participate? 

Participants of the WIPT are women who belong to one of the political parties in the country and who are interested in enhancing their political careers and effectiveness in their political parties.  They are expected to be nominated by their political party leaders. A criteria developed by the organisers is used to screen nominees who then go through an interview session for selection as a WIPT programme participant.

What Topics are Covered?

The following topics are covered:

Leadership Skills

Gender and Development

Media Relations

Negotiation Skills

Presentation Skills

Women and the Economy

Fundamentals of Ghana’s Democratic Systems

Lobbying and Campaigning

Step-by-Step Processes of Law-Making

Basic Social Research Skills

 

What are the Benefits of Participation?  

Participants derive a number of benefits from the WIPT programme. These include:

Free world-class capacity building training for women

Basic theoretical understanding of key development issues

Practical knowledge and skills for effectiveness as a politician

Knowledge and skills of gender relations

An interactive and congenial atmosphere for adult learning and networking

A safe space for women from all political parties to work as a collective on women’s rights and democratic governance issues.

Engagement with renowned resource persons

A Certificate of Participation at the end of the programme

What is expected of Participants? 

Participants of the WIPT programme are expected to remain committed during the period of the training. Specifically they are expected to commit to the following:

Agree with other participants to be available at least one weekend per month to participate in the programme

Attend all ten modules

Be punctual at all times

What can Organisers Provide?

The training is intended to strengthen the capacity of women in politics. Organisers provide the following:

Free tuition

Snacks and Lunch

Token amount to cover transportation.

Where does the Training take Place?

The training takes place at the conference room of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES). FES is located at House No.869/2, Ring Road East off the Danquah Circle and adjacent the Koala Shopping Mall, Osu, Accra.

Conclusion

The organisers of the WIPT programme are committed to women’s rights and will work to ensure that the training offers an environment for effective learning with the possibility for enhanced political careers that promote gender responsiveness, social justice and peace.

For further information please contact the following:

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung           ABANTU for Development           Women in Broadcasting (WIB)                              

Ghana Office                            P.O. Box KD 4                             P.O. Box C 1089

P.O. Box 9722, KIA                    Kanda                                        Cantonments

 

Accra-Ghana

Telephone:                               Telephone:                                 Telephone:

+233 (0) 302 77 24 71                +233 (0)302 816 113                    +233 0244292637

+233 (0) 302 77 26 87                 +233 (0)302 816 114

+233 (0) 302 76 15 35                                  

E-Mail:
office@fesghana.org