Women and Ghana’s 2016 Parliamentary Election
iKNOW Politics expert Gretchen Bauer submitted the following article to be published on International Women’s Day 2017.
Ghana
December 28, 2016
More Women elected to Ghana's Parliament
Sources from the Electoral Commissi
November 13, 2024
Election 2024: Women Aspirants seek sustainable funding for political activity in Ghana
Currently in Ghana, there are 40 females out of the 275 Members of Parliament in the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic.
May 5, 2024
Where are the women in Ghana’s new cabinet?
In September 2024 a long anticipated Affirmative Action Bill (AA Bill) was signed into law in Ghana. But you would hardly know it in early 2025 following parliamentary and presidential elections and the appointment of new cabinet ministers.
Election
4333: Ghana, 07/12/2024, Ghanaian Presidency 2024
| Quota Information | Parliament Information | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Are there legislated quotas? | No | Structure of parliament | Bicameral |
| For the Single/Lower House? | No | >Current members | 275 |
| Percentage of women | 14.55% | ||
| Source: Gender Quotas Database | Source: New Parline | ||
Note: this page was last updated on October 3, 2022.
Election for:
March 2, 2026
Ghana’s 2027 Elections: Rising Violence Against Women in Politics Exposed
As Ghana prepares for its 2027 local elections, new research presented in Accra highlights that violence against women in politics remains a significant barrier to democratic participation at the local level.
February 27, 2026
New research highlights violence against women in local politics ahead of Ghana’s 2027 elections
As Ghana prepares for local elections in 2027, new research presented in Accra today warns that violence against women in politics remains a significan
February 18, 2026
Ghana hosts ECOWAS consultation on gender parity in politics
A two-day expert meeting on regional consultation on the political participation and leadership of women and youth in West Africa has been opened in Accra.
January 8, 2026
Women still underrepresented in political leadership
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, the 2025 Status of Women Report has said.
January 9, 2025
Ghana’s First Female Vice President: A Trailblazer in Leadership and Inspiration
Ghana made history when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) nominated Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as the running mate to former President John Dramani Mahama for the 2020 general elections.
January 8, 2025
African women celebrate as Ghana swears in first female Vice President
Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has officially assumed the role of Vice President of Ghana following her swearing-in on Tuesday.
November 13, 2024
Election 2024: Women Aspirants seek sustainable funding for political activity in Ghana
Currently in Ghana, there are 40 females out of the 275 Members of Parliament in the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic.
October 31, 2024
Akua Donkor was an inspiring role model for women in politics - Female politicians
Some female politicians in Sunyani have described the late Akua Donkor, the leader and Election 2024 Flagbearer of the Great Freedom Party (GFP)
October 16, 2024
Gender Equality And Youth Inclusion: Ten Focus Areas For Impact
16 October 2024, Ghana: UN Women recently published The Gender Snapshot 2024. While the report highlighted some positive developments, no indicator under SDG Goal 5, Gender Equality, has been achieved.
September 27, 2024
Let your voices be heard in politics – AWLN urges women
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), Ghana Chapter, has urged all women to take active interest in politics to let their voices become a powerful catalyst for political and economic transformation of the country.
September 20, 2024
Sigh of relief for Ghana's (not-so) new gender equality law
Women's rights advocates are demanding the immediate implementation of a nearly 30-year-old gender equity bill which Ghana’s president signed into law on Thursday.
September 6, 2024
Empowering women: A push for increased female MPs in upcoming elections
The representation of women in Ghana's Fourth Republic Parliament has remained notably low.
September 6, 2024
Ghana: Ministry of Gender calls for immediate action against abuse of women in politics
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, expressed concern over the persistent harassment, discrimination, and violence directed at female politicians, candidates, and activists.
September 3, 2024
Victory for women’s rights in Ghana as affirmative action law is passed – what must happen next
The passage of the
May 5, 2024
Where are the women in Ghana’s new cabinet?
In September 2024 a long anticipated Affirmative Action Bill (AA Bill) was signed into law in Ghana. But you would hardly know it in early 2025 following parliamentary and presidential elections and the appointment of new cabinet ministers.
March 18, 2024
Development Discourse: Entrenching the economic and political rights of women
Many advocates, gender activists, development agencies and civil society organisations have been making a strong case for the inclusion of women in high level politics and empowering them economically.
January 24, 2024
Ghana needs a female running mate - FIDA tells NPP, NDC
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Ghana) has expressed their bitter feelings over the neglect of women in leading political roles in Ghana.
January 18, 2024
Low number of women and PWDs in Ghana’s local government system worrying
Promoting inclusivity in all aspects of governance is very necessary to spur economic growth and reduce marginalisation.
December 15, 2023
Intimidation, lack of confidence hindering women's participation in Ghana's politics
A new report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has shed light on some of the key barriers preventing greater women's representation in Ghana's political sphere.
July 24, 2023
Alliance for Women in Media charges journalists take lead role in closing gender gap in politics
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May 16, 2023
Ghana: Governance expert says monetisation of politics impeding women’s participation
The monetisation of politics in Africa is impeding the effective participation of women in political and electoral processes, Ayisha Osori, a democracy and governance expert, has said.
March 31, 2022
Ghana: Encourage women to partake in active politics – Hannah Bissiw
The National Women Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Louisa Hannah Bissiw, has called on the women leadership of political parties to mentor young ladies in and out of tertiary education to partake in active politics.
December 2, 2020
Ghana: 41% of women in politics have experienced gender-based violence – Survey
The Gender Centre for Empowering Development (GenCED) on Tuesday December 1, 2020 launched a research report on “Violence Against Women Within Political Parties”.
September 17, 2020
Election 2020 in Ghana: Dawn of new era for women in politics
The Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT), the Domestic Violence Coalition (DV Coalition) and the Women’s Manifesto Coalition (WMC) have congratulated Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and
July 8, 2020
African Centre for Women in Politics lauds selection of Prof Jane Opoku Agyemang as Mahama’s running mate
The African Centre for Women in Politics (ACWP) has described the appointment of Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang as ‘a fulfillment that has been long-awaited by women in Ghana, in Africa and the world at large.”
May 3, 2019
Erelu Fayemi, ex-Ghanaian President, others bag Zik Leadership prize
Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has won the 2018 Zik Leadership Prize for humanitarian Leadership. This was disclosed by the organisers of the annual prize in Lagos at the week.
February 11, 2019
Don’t shun politics despite attacks - Lydia Alhassan appeals to women in Ghana
The newly elected Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon (AWW) Constituency, Ms Lydia Seyram Alhassan, has advised Ghanaian women not to shun politics despite the challenges of insults, name calling and denigration that they have to go through
February 8, 2019
”Women hold key to transforming politics” in Ghana’
Civil society organisations in good governance promotion in Africa have urged leaders across the continent to prioritise efforts which would increase the participation of women in governance, saying they will provide the difference critical for Afric
August 3, 2018
Ghana: Nine women file to contest NDC elections in Central Region
Efforts at encouraging strong women representation in active politics received a major boost as nine women filed their forms to contest for various positions in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Central Region.
July 27, 2018
2nd POWA forum tackles media’s impact on women’s participation in politics
The Progressive Organisation for Women Advancement (POWA) has organised its second forum to discuss women’s participation in the Ghanaian political space.
July 27, 2018
Ghana president nominates another woman to head elections body
Ghana is set to have a new head for its elections body, the Electoral Commission (EC). The nomination of Mrs. Jean Mensa as the new EC boss was announced by the presidency on Monday.
December 28, 2016
More Women elected to Ghana's Parliament
Sources from the Electoral Commissi
May 16, 2016
Ghana started a process to establish a Women´s Situation Room
The process to establish a Women’s Situation Room has started in Ghana.
March 16, 2015
Women in Ghana call for political party constitutional reforms
Women organisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) are advocating reforms to their party constitutions to allow for more women to seek political office.
September 26, 2014
Enhancing Women’s Political Participation, Ghana
Out of 58 women elected to Parliament, only three of them represented constituencies the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions and said mo
October 11, 2013
Gender Centre in Ghana prepares women for effective performance
The Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Centre (Gender Centre) has trained 40 women in human rights and leadership to enhance their performance.
September 20, 2013
Grant more women platform for political discourse, Ghana
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is calling on media organizations to empanel more women for political discussions. This is part of a campaign for increased women’s participation in governance.
September 16, 2013
Fulfil agenda to promote women’s rights, Ghana
The Women’s Manifesto Coalition (WMC) has called on the government and gender rights organisations to take stock of what it described as “the unfulfilled agenda of promoting women’s rights.”
September 5, 2013
Culture is still an obstacle hindering many qualified women to go into politics in Ghana
Freda Prempeh, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North Constituency in the Brong Ahafo region has noted with worry that culture is still an obstacle hindering many qualified women to go into politics.
August 31, 2013
Women Encouraged To Contest National Elections, Ghana
A former PDP Women Leader, Dr Kema Chikwe, on Friday in Abuja advised women to work hard to secure positions in the party as the special convention gets underway.
August 20, 2013
Ghana Government to meet 30% women quota
Government will not be able to achieve its target of appointing 30 per cent of women to head Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) due to “structural difficulties,” says Dr Raymond Atuguba, Executive Secretary to the President.
August 16, 2013
Ghana: Put More Women in Decision-Making Positions
A civil society group, Gender Studies and Human Right Documentation Centre (GSHRDC) is calling on Government to fulfill its promise of having majority of women occupying decision-making positions in the country.
Election
4334: Ghana, 07/12/2024, Ghanaian Parliament 2024
| Quota Information | Parliament Information | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Are there legislated quotas? | No | Structure of parliament | Bicameral |
| For the Single/Lower House? | No | >Current members | 275 |
| Percentage of women | 14.55% | ||
| Source: Gender Quotas Database | Source: New Parline | ||
Note: this page was last updated on October 3, 2022.
Election for:
March 2, 2026
Ghana’s 2027 Elections: Rising Violence Against Women in Politics Exposed
As Ghana prepares for its 2027 local elections, new research presented in Accra highlights that violence against women in politics remains a significant barrier to democratic participation at the local level.
February 27, 2026
New research highlights violence against women in local politics ahead of Ghana’s 2027 elections
As Ghana prepares for local elections in 2027, new research presented in Accra today warns that violence against women in politics remains a significan
February 18, 2026
Ghana hosts ECOWAS consultation on gender parity in politics
A two-day expert meeting on regional consultation on the political participation and leadership of women and youth in West Africa has been opened in Accra.
January 8, 2026
Women still underrepresented in political leadership
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, the 2025 Status of Women Report has said.
January 9, 2025
Ghana’s First Female Vice President: A Trailblazer in Leadership and Inspiration
Ghana made history when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) nominated Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as the running mate to former President John Dramani Mahama for the 2020 general elections.
January 8, 2025
African women celebrate as Ghana swears in first female Vice President
Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has officially assumed the role of Vice President of Ghana following her swearing-in on Tuesday.
November 13, 2024
Election 2024: Women Aspirants seek sustainable funding for political activity in Ghana
Currently in Ghana, there are 40 females out of the 275 Members of Parliament in the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic.
October 31, 2024
Akua Donkor was an inspiring role model for women in politics - Female politicians
Some female politicians in Sunyani have described the late Akua Donkor, the leader and Election 2024 Flagbearer of the Great Freedom Party (GFP)
October 16, 2024
Gender Equality And Youth Inclusion: Ten Focus Areas For Impact
16 October 2024, Ghana: UN Women recently published The Gender Snapshot 2024. While the report highlighted some positive developments, no indicator under SDG Goal 5, Gender Equality, has been achieved.
September 27, 2024
Let your voices be heard in politics – AWLN urges women
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), Ghana Chapter, has urged all women to take active interest in politics to let their voices become a powerful catalyst for political and economic transformation of the country.
September 20, 2024
Sigh of relief for Ghana's (not-so) new gender equality law
Women's rights advocates are demanding the immediate implementation of a nearly 30-year-old gender equity bill which Ghana’s president signed into law on Thursday.
September 6, 2024
Empowering women: A push for increased female MPs in upcoming elections
The representation of women in Ghana's Fourth Republic Parliament has remained notably low.
September 6, 2024
Ghana: Ministry of Gender calls for immediate action against abuse of women in politics
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, expressed concern over the persistent harassment, discrimination, and violence directed at female politicians, candidates, and activists.
September 3, 2024
Victory for women’s rights in Ghana as affirmative action law is passed – what must happen next
The passage of the
May 5, 2024
Where are the women in Ghana’s new cabinet?
In September 2024 a long anticipated Affirmative Action Bill (AA Bill) was signed into law in Ghana. But you would hardly know it in early 2025 following parliamentary and presidential elections and the appointment of new cabinet ministers.
March 18, 2024
Development Discourse: Entrenching the economic and political rights of women
Many advocates, gender activists, development agencies and civil society organisations have been making a strong case for the inclusion of women in high level politics and empowering them economically.
January 24, 2024
Ghana needs a female running mate - FIDA tells NPP, NDC
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Ghana) has expressed their bitter feelings over the neglect of women in leading political roles in Ghana.
January 18, 2024
Low number of women and PWDs in Ghana’s local government system worrying
Promoting inclusivity in all aspects of governance is very necessary to spur economic growth and reduce marginalisation.
December 15, 2023
Intimidation, lack of confidence hindering women's participation in Ghana's politics
A new report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has shed light on some of the key barriers preventing greater women's representation in Ghana's political sphere.
July 24, 2023
Alliance for Women in Media charges journalists take lead role in closing gender gap in politics
Normal
0
-->
May 16, 2023
Ghana: Governance expert says monetisation of politics impeding women’s participation
The monetisation of politics in Africa is impeding the effective participation of women in political and electoral processes, Ayisha Osori, a democracy and governance expert, has said.
March 31, 2022
Ghana: Encourage women to partake in active politics – Hannah Bissiw
The National Women Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Louisa Hannah Bissiw, has called on the women leadership of political parties to mentor young ladies in and out of tertiary education to partake in active politics.
December 2, 2020
Ghana: 41% of women in politics have experienced gender-based violence – Survey
The Gender Centre for Empowering Development (GenCED) on Tuesday December 1, 2020 launched a research report on “Violence Against Women Within Political Parties”.
September 17, 2020
Election 2020 in Ghana: Dawn of new era for women in politics
The Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT), the Domestic Violence Coalition (DV Coalition) and the Women’s Manifesto Coalition (WMC) have congratulated Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and
July 8, 2020
African Centre for Women in Politics lauds selection of Prof Jane Opoku Agyemang as Mahama’s running mate
The African Centre for Women in Politics (ACWP) has described the appointment of Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang as ‘a fulfillment that has been long-awaited by women in Ghana, in Africa and the world at large.”
May 3, 2019
Erelu Fayemi, ex-Ghanaian President, others bag Zik Leadership prize
Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has won the 2018 Zik Leadership Prize for humanitarian Leadership. This was disclosed by the organisers of the annual prize in Lagos at the week.
February 11, 2019
Don’t shun politics despite attacks - Lydia Alhassan appeals to women in Ghana
The newly elected Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon (AWW) Constituency, Ms Lydia Seyram Alhassan, has advised Ghanaian women not to shun politics despite the challenges of insults, name calling and denigration that they have to go through
February 8, 2019
”Women hold key to transforming politics” in Ghana’
Civil society organisations in good governance promotion in Africa have urged leaders across the continent to prioritise efforts which would increase the participation of women in governance, saying they will provide the difference critical for Afric
August 3, 2018
Ghana: Nine women file to contest NDC elections in Central Region
Efforts at encouraging strong women representation in active politics received a major boost as nine women filed their forms to contest for various positions in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Central Region.
July 27, 2018
2nd POWA forum tackles media’s impact on women’s participation in politics
The Progressive Organisation for Women Advancement (POWA) has organised its second forum to discuss women’s participation in the Ghanaian political space.
July 27, 2018
Ghana president nominates another woman to head elections body
Ghana is set to have a new head for its elections body, the Electoral Commission (EC). The nomination of Mrs. Jean Mensa as the new EC boss was announced by the presidency on Monday.
December 28, 2016
More Women elected to Ghana's Parliament
Sources from the Electoral Commissi
May 16, 2016
Ghana started a process to establish a Women´s Situation Room
The process to establish a Women’s Situation Room has started in Ghana.
March 16, 2015
Women in Ghana call for political party constitutional reforms
Women organisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) are advocating reforms to their party constitutions to allow for more women to seek political office.
September 26, 2014
Enhancing Women’s Political Participation, Ghana
Out of 58 women elected to Parliament, only three of them represented constituencies the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions and said mo
October 11, 2013
Gender Centre in Ghana prepares women for effective performance
The Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Centre (Gender Centre) has trained 40 women in human rights and leadership to enhance their performance.
September 20, 2013
Grant more women platform for political discourse, Ghana
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is calling on media organizations to empanel more women for political discussions. This is part of a campaign for increased women’s participation in governance.
September 16, 2013
Fulfil agenda to promote women’s rights, Ghana
The Women’s Manifesto Coalition (WMC) has called on the government and gender rights organisations to take stock of what it described as “the unfulfilled agenda of promoting women’s rights.”
September 5, 2013
Culture is still an obstacle hindering many qualified women to go into politics in Ghana
Freda Prempeh, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North Constituency in the Brong Ahafo region has noted with worry that culture is still an obstacle hindering many qualified women to go into politics.
August 31, 2013
Women Encouraged To Contest National Elections, Ghana
A former PDP Women Leader, Dr Kema Chikwe, on Friday in Abuja advised women to work hard to secure positions in the party as the special convention gets underway.
August 20, 2013
Ghana Government to meet 30% women quota
Government will not be able to achieve its target of appointing 30 per cent of women to head Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) due to “structural difficulties,” says Dr Raymond Atuguba, Executive Secretary to the President.
August 16, 2013
Ghana: Put More Women in Decision-Making Positions
A civil society group, Gender Studies and Human Right Documentation Centre (GSHRDC) is calling on Government to fulfill its promise of having majority of women occupying decision-making positions in the country.
Women and Ghana’s 2016 Parliamentary Election
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May 16, 2016
Ghana started a process to establish a Women´s Situation Room
The process to establish a Women’s Situation Room has started in Ghana.
March 16, 2015
Women in Ghana call for political party constitutional reforms
Women organisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) are advocating reforms to their party constitutions to allow for more women to seek political office.