Have women lost out in parliament?

Women groups have been concerned over the years about the inadequate number of women in the decision-making process of the country.

The results of the December 7, 2024 parliamentary elections seem to be giving credence to the fear of the women groups as a lot of women in parliament have lost their seats.

The wish of the women groups is that all the incumbent female MPs retain their seats while new ones are added to them so that the percentage of women in parliament will move from the current 14 per cent to an appreciable level.

The newly passed Affirmative Action Act stipulates that there is at least 30 per cent women representation in all decision-making bodies but the fear of women groups is that the yet-to-be-formed parliament will not meet that target as not much was done to push more women to contest the December 7 elections.

In the 2020 elections, 40 women sailed through and represented women in the 275 parliament.

However, as results trickle in for the 2024 elections where a total of 801 people made up of 119 women and 682 men are vying for 276 parliamentary seats across the country, it is evident that the already inadequate number of women would further dwindle as a lot of the old faces have lost their seats while a handful of new entrants are being recorded.

Some of the notable faces that have lost their seats are Ursula Owusu-Ekuful in Ablekuma West; Dakoa Newman, Okaikwei South; Ophelia Mensah Hayford, Mfantseman, Hawa Koomson, Awutu Senya East, and Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency seat. 

Some retained

Some of the notable female members of parliament who have, however, been retained are the NDC Member of Parliament for the La Dadekotopon Constituency, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah; Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, who also won the Klottey Korle seat; Dzifa Gomashie, Ketu South, and Joycelyn Tetteh, NDC MP for North Dayi.

Others are Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, Ada, and Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Krowor.   

New entrants

However, there are some new entrants who are Rachel Owusuaa incoming NDC MP for Dormaa East, and Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, who won the Awutu Senya East seat, snatching it from another woman, Hawa Koomson.

Other new entrants are Lawrencia Dziwornu of the NDC who is also entering parliament as the Member of Parliament for the Akuapem South Constituency in the Eastern Region, and Hajia Fatahiya Abdul Aziz of the NPP for Savelugu in the Northern Region.

Writer’s email:rebecca.quaicoe-duho@graphic.com.gh