Women in Ghana remain significantly underrepresented in political leadership and public decision-making, despite the passage of the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act in 2024. According to the 2025 Status of Women Report, women make up only 14.9% of Members of Parliament, with 41 out of 276 seats. This is a meager increase of one seat from the previous Parliament.
Key Statistics:
– Women in Parliament: 14.9% (41 out of 276 MPs)
– Women in Local Assemblies: 4.1%
– Women in Ministerial Positions: Less than 20%
– Target Representation: 30% by 2026, 50% by 2034
The report attributes this underrepresentation to various factors, including:
– Economic Challenges: High cost of political campaigns and limited access to financial resources
– Cultural Barriers: Traditional patriarchal society and socially ascribed gender roles
– Lack of Implementation: Slow implementation of the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act
The Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act aims to increase women’s representation in public appointments to 30% by 2026 and 50% by 2034. However, concerns have been raised about the government’s approach to implementing the Act, with some arguing that it’s not being enforced effectively.
