The Centre for Migration and Africa Development (CEMAD), a Non-governmental Organisation is implementing a project to empower market women, and associations to participate in decision making processes in the Kintampo South District of the Bono East Region.

The four-month project, targets to reach-out to about 160 women in petty trading, and other business associations to encourage them to particularly participate in the fee fixing resolution of the Assembly, as enshrined in the Standing Orders of the Assembly.

CEMAD seeks to provide humanitarian services to vulnerable women, girls and young people as well as assist vulnerable communities to initiate development in freedom and self-esteem, in a manner that sustainably protects the interest of the communities.

A statement issued and signed by Mr. Isaac Kwabena Appiah, Co-Founder of CEMAD, and the Project Coordinator and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), regretted about low participation of market women in decision making processes of the Assembly.

"Because market women and traders do not participate in the Assembly's fee fixing resolution, they are always reluctant to pay fees and taxes imposed by the Assembly. This is obviously affecting the Assembly's revenue mobilization in the district", it added.

Therefore, the project titled "giving voice to market women on fee fixing in the Kintampo South District", and being funded by the Global Affairs Canada, and Plan International Ghana, international NGOs, would enable women traders and associations to accept and pay the fees for the assembly to generate the required funds needed for development.

"Women traders would therefore understand the importance of paying reasonable fees and taxes, demand accountability and participate fully in decision making processes of the Assembly, and thereby enhance their socio-economic livelihoods",.

"By this action, we are hopeful these market women, and business operators would pay their fees promptly as well", it added.