The Chairperson of the African Women Leadership Network (AWLN) Ghana Chapter, Dr Charity Binka, has called for increased support for female candidates in Ghana’s upcoming December 7 elections.
She highlighted the crucial role of women in decision-making; to enhance gender-inclusive leadership to accelerate national progress and governance.
Dr Charity Binka made the call at a forum, organised by AWLN in Accra, yesterday, which coincided with the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
She noted that women in politics were facing challenges, including discrimination, violence, and limited resources.
Dr Binka, therefore, called for more support and strategic planning to boost female candidates, to enable them to win elections, and perform well in their political strives.
She said: “There are many barriers for women in politics, whether you’re from the NPP, NDC, or other parties, it takes immense courage to run elections. We must support these women, not only to be elected but also to ensure they remain visible and effective once in office.”
With about nine million female voters in Ghana, participants stressed the importance of engaging both women and men to support female candidates.
This underscores the barriers women face in their political career, including the lack of political will and the poor implementation of gender quotas, Dr Binka said.
She urged the public to maintain peace during the 2024 election, and asked women to serve as peace ambassadors in their communities.
Dr Binka appealed to women to aim for at least 100 women in Parliament in the upcoming December 7 elections.
Voters should support female candidates for a more balanced and prosperous future, she stressed.
A push for social media visibility and grassroots engagement was encouraged, drawing inspiration from international examples to increase female participation towards significant political shifts.
The Executive Director for FIDA Ghana, Mrs Susan Aryeetey, highlighted the alarming statistics on women’s representation across the continent.
She noted that women’s participation in African Parliaments has increased marginally from 25 per cent in 2021 to 26 per cent in 2024.
Mrs Aryeetey stated that only 52 per cent of Ghanaian women are registered voters, and only 15 per cent are represented in Parliament.
This, she said indicated male dominance in Ghana’s Parliament, with only 40 out of 275 parliamentarians representing women.
She stated that, according to Afrobarometer reports, it would take until the year 2100 for Ghana to achieve gender parity in our Parliament
FROM PRINCE ADDO
FRIMPONG
