Women in Ghana’s Parliament: The alarming exodus and the battles within

Women’s representation in Ghana’s Parliament remains alarmingly low, and even when they do break through the barriers to secure seats, their tenure is often short-lived.

In 2020, The Ghana Report’s research desk discovered that a meagre 5.8% of women have been elected into parliament since 1992.

This persistent issue has sparked debates across various sectors about why women face such challenges in maintaining their positions in the nation’s legislature.

To understand this, we must look at the historical, social, political, and cultural hurdles that Ghanaian women encounter in politics.

1. Historical Under-representation

Since Ghana’s first Parliament in 1957 in the post-colonial era, women have been significantly under-represented.

Out of the 104 members in the first Parliament, there were only two women

Fast forward to the current 8th Parliament; out of 275 seats, only 40 are occupied by women—representing just 14.5%.

This reflects a systemic problem rooted in historical patriarchy, where politics was traditionally viewed as a male-dominated sphere.

2. Financial Barriers

Running for political office in Ghana requires significant financial resources.

From filing fees to campaign expenses, the costs can be astronomical.

Women, who often have less access to financial capital due to gender wage gaps and limited economic opportunities, struggle to compete.

A 2020 study by the Women’s Manifesto Coalition highlighted that 65% of women in politics identified financial constraints as their biggest challenge.

In the 2020 elections, the filing fee for parliamentary candidates was set at GH₵10,000. For many women, this figure was prohibitive, forcing them out of the race even before campaigns began. This was slashed by 25% in 2024, but many women continue to view it as a barrier to entry.

3. Cultural and Societal Expectations

Cultural norms in Ghana often dictate that women prioritise family responsibilities over career ambitions, especially in male-dominated fields like politics.

The demanding nature of parliamentary work—long hours, frequent travel, and public scrutiny—clashes with societal expectations of women as primary caregivers.

Dr. Esther Ofei-Aboagye, a gender advocate, believes “Many female MPs face backlash from their communities for neglecting ‘traditional roles.’ This double standard discourages others from pursuing politics.”

4. Political Violence and Intimidation

Ghanaian politics can be brutal, with candidates facing verbal abuse, threats, and even physical attacks.

Women are disproportionately targeted, with many subjected to gendered insults and harassment both online and offline.

In 2020, social media campaigns against some female candidates included demeaning language about their personal lives and appearances rather than their policies.

This toxic environment forces many women to step down or avoid re-election campaigns altogether.

5. Lack of Support from Political Parties

While some political parties have adopted affirmative action policies, such as waiving filing fees for female candidates, these measures are often inconsistent and insufficient.

Parties prioritise “winnable” male candidates over women, especially in competitive constituencies.

In the 2020 elections, the major political parties—NPP and NDC—fielded only 126 female candidates out of 914 parliamentary aspirants.

6. Weak Mentorship and Networks

Politics in Ghana thrives on strong networks and mentorship, which are often male-dominated.

Women entering politics frequently lack access to the same support systems, making navigating the political landscape harder.

A 2019 UNDP report showed that only 25% of female politicians in Ghana had access to mentorship programs compared to 60% of their male counterparts.

7. Electorate Bias

The electorate’s perception of women as leaders remains a significant challenge.

Many voters still believe leadership roles, particularly in politics, are better suited to men.

This bias is reflected in election outcomes, where women struggle to secure votes even in constituencies with strong female populations.

In 2016, Madam Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah of Ada Constituency was one of the few female MPs to retain her seat, highlighting how rare it is for women to build sustained political careers.

What Can Be Done?

1. Introduce quotas: Implementing a quota system, as seen in Rwanda (where 61% of parliamentary seats are held by women), can significantly boost female representation.

2. Financial support: Establishing funds specifically to support female candidates can help level the playing field.

3. Mentorship programmes: Political parties and NGOs should prioritise mentorship initiatives to guide women through the challenges of political life.

4. Public awareness campaigns: Educating the electorate on the importance of women in leadership can help combat biases and stereotypes.

5. Address political yiolence: Enforcing laws against harassment and violence during campaigns will create a safer environment for female candidates.

The road to equal representation in Ghana’s Parliament remains long, but it is not impossible.

Addressing the financial, cultural, and systemic barriers women face will require a collective effort from political parties, civil society, and the electorate.

Until then, Ghana risks losing the invaluable contributions that women bring to its legislative process—a loss the nation can ill afford.

Women have the capability, the vision, and the resilience to lead.

Will Ghana rise to the challenge of giving them the chance to do so?