The debate over women’s representation in Ghanaian politics has once again been ignited, with NPP loyalist Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong accusing President John Mahama of failing to uphold his promises to elevate women to leadership positions.
He emphasized that the President’s alleged “anti-women” agenda remains persistent and unchecked.
According to Sarpong, the much-publicized commitment to a 30% female representation in Mahama’s cabinet has proven to be an illusion, as the administration barely appointed 10% of women to ministerial positions.
“Mr. Mahama didn’t stop there, as he went ahead not only to proclaim it during the campaign but also inserted it in the party’s manifesto that his cabinet would be filled with 30% women representations.”
Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong
However, he argued that the president’s actions have failed to match his rhetoric, leaving many questioning whether the promises were merely a campaign gimmick.
Sarpong further claimed that a pattern of actions against prominent female leaders suggests an anti-women agenda within the Mahama administration.
He cited the immediate calls for the removal of Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensa shortly after she declared Mahama the winner of the 2024 elections. “…Joyce Bawah and co started advocating for her removal.”
According to him, this was just the beginning of a concerted effort to eliminate influential women from key decision-making roles.
This, he claims, was followed by petitions from well-known NDC members, creating an environment that appears hostile to women in leadership.
Adding fuel to the fire, Sarpong points to the latest development—a petition seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
“His Excellency John Mahama has forwarded same to the Council of State to commence the consultative process earmarked for such petitions. This is a script well written in the chambers of President Mahama, who is in cahoots with his party’s top officials.”
Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong
He believes this development is part of a larger, deliberate effort to marginalize women in governance, asserting that the systematic targeting of women in influential positions is both evident and concerning.
According to him, the pattern of singling out female leaders raises serious questions about the commitment to gender inclusivity in decision-making processes.
Sarpong argued that reducing the number of women in leadership is not coincidental but rather a calculated attempt to limit their influence in shaping national policies.
In his view, such actions undermine efforts to promote gender equality and create an inclusive political environment where both men and women have equal opportunities to contribute to governance.
Is There a Pattern?
While some may dismiss these accusations as politically motivated, Sarpong insisted that the removal attempts and lack of female representation in Mahama’s government reflect a troubling reality.
He warns that these so-called “anti-women tendencies” could have long-term consequences for gender equality in governance.
“If they like, they should send thousands of petitions against her [Chief Justice Torkornoo], nothing will come out of it.
“You don’t sit in your homes and manufacture ‘sins’ allegedly committed by her and deem the same to be grounds enough for her removal. Much ado about nothing, if you ask me.”
Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong
Sarpong’s outburst followed the President’s decision to seek the Council of State’s advice on petitions calling for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Meanwhile, calls for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo have persisted since the tenure of the Akufo-Addo-led NPP administration.
Among those advocating for her removal was Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare, a legal expert, who questioned her competence and formally petitioned for her dismissal.
“The legal basis of my petition is Article 146 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. For the avoidance of doubt, my petition focuses on stated misbehavior and incompetence related to the Chief Justice’s administrative functions as head of the judiciary responsible for its supervision and administration under Article 125 (4) of the Constitution.”
Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare
However, then-President Nana Akufo-Addo rejected the petition, arguing that there were no legal grounds to warrant the Chief Justice’s removal. “The petition does not disclose a prima facie case warranting further action,” he ruled, effectively dismissing the request for her impeachment.
Beyond the accusations, this debate raises larger concerns about women’s participation in leadership and whether political parties are truly committed to gender inclusivity or simply using it as a talking point.
The Mahama administration, however, has recorded the highest level of female participation in politics compared to any other government in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
Regardless of which side of the debate one stands on, one thing is clear—Ghana’s journey toward true gender equity in leadership remains a work in progress.
