The anxiety and uncertain clouds that surrounded the gains
of female aspirants in the December polls can now be assuaged as 28
women from nine regions have so far successfully sailed through the
just ended keenly contested parliamentary elections.
Subsequently Ghana’s next parliament is set to have more
women especially as few parliamentary results are yet to be
declared.
The 133 women who contested in this year’s parliamentary
elections represent a 30% increase
in that of 2008, and the highest number of women who have contested
parliamentary seats in Ghana’s political history.
Out of the 133 women aspirants, Greater Accra region fielded
the highest number of 34, followed by Ashanti and Central regions
which fielded 26 and 15 respectively. The rest are western and Eastern, Volta, Northern, Upper
East and West which fielded 12, 10, 7, 6 and 5 women respectively.
The Upper West is so far the only region that has no female
representation in Parliament.
The reason for Greater Accra’s high number is not surprising.
It is the capital, cosmopolitan in nature and has relatively more
educated people.
The region has also benefited from the activities of Civil
Society Organizations which has resulted in creating an informed
and cognizant women population with divergent views.
Even though some western regional MPs like NPP’s Catherine
Afeku and Samia Yaaba Nkrumah of the CPP were casualties, some
veterans managed to cling onto their seats.
It is expected that the new faces like former DCE of Sissala
East Alijata Sulemana, Works and Housing Deputy Minister, Hannah
Bissue, Ursula Owusu who have
distinguished themselves in their respective carriers together with
the 'veterans, 'would advance the cause of women.
