Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, a Deputy Chair of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC), has expressed concerns over the low number of female candidates participating in the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections.
According to Dr. Asare, only 120 female candidates are contesting for parliamentary seats out of over 800 candidates across the country. The disparity, he noted, is troubling, as it reflects a persistent underrepresentation of women in Ghana’s political landscape.
In his address, Dr. Asare highlighted that a more balanced gender representation is crucial for fostering a comprehensive and inclusive approach to governance.
“In this year’s nomination, the filing fee for female candidates and persons with disabilities was reduced by 25 percent. So, for the presidential election, male candidates paid GH¢100,000 and the female candidates and persons with disabilities also paid GH¢75,000.”
Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, Deputy Chair of Electoral Commission
For parliamentary candidates, Dr. Asare revealed male aspirants paid GH¢10,000, with female and disabled candidates charged GH¢7,500. This reduction aimed to encourage a higher number of female candidates to participate by addressing one of the known financial barriers to entry.
Dr. Asare underscored that increasing women’s representation in governance is crucial to ensure balanced decision-making that addresses the perspectives and needs of all demographics.
The underrepresentation of women, he noted, hinders Ghana’s socio-political development, limiting the variety of perspectives that contribute to national policies. “The low participation of women in the polls is unfortunate,” he said, adding that inclusive representation is vital for creating policies that are equitable and sustainable.
Gender imbalance in Ghana’s political arena has been a longstanding issue. Despite women comprising around 51% of Ghana’s population, female parliamentary representation has stagnated, with women holding less than 15% of seats in the last Parliament.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) reported that women held only 14.6% of parliamentary seats in Ghana in 2023. This low figure contrasts with regional peers such as Rwanda, where women occupy 61.3% of parliamentary seats.
Dr. Asare’s concerns are part of broader national conversations on how to bridge this gap and ensure that Ghana’s decision-making bodies better reflect the demographics of its population.
Encouraging Gender Balance in Future Elections
The forum in Winneba brought together key stakeholders, including civil society groups, political parties, and the general public, to discuss ways to enhance inclusivity and foster a peaceful election environment.
Participants emphasized the need for continuous advocacy to dismantle socio-cultural barriers that discourage female political participation.
Advocacy groups at the event called for an increase in financial, institutional, and social support for women in politics, stressing that gender parity should not only be the EC’s responsibility but should involve collective action across government and society.
“We need political parties to make deliberate efforts to groom and sponsor female candidates, providing them with the necessary resources and support.”
Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, Deputy Chair of Electoral Commission
This aligns with recommendations from the United Nations, which has advocated for the institution of gender quotas to ensure women are adequately represented in political offices.
The gender disparity observed in the 2024 election candidates raises questions about the inclusivity of Ghana’s electoral landscape. As the country prepares for the general elections, the EC’s concerns serve as a reminder of the work needed to achieve equitable political representation.
Dr. Asare emphasized that for democracy to thrive, all segments of society must feel represented, and Ghana cannot afford to marginalize its female population in political decision-making processes.
Looking ahead, the EC Deputy Chair urged stakeholders to take active steps in addressing the structural barriers that limit women’s participation. He also called on women to be bold and take up leadership roles across different spheres, not only in politics but also in areas that shape public opinion, such as media and academia.
