The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has blamed the structure of political party elections in the country for the low representation of women in politics.
He said monetization of political party elections alienate women.
“There is the urgent need to sustain and entrench women empowerment. It is in our interest as a country to do so. I have said that we should as a people take a critical look at our mode of electing political office holders. The monetization of political party electoral processes has to a large extent excluded many capable women from offering themselves for office.”
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu further called for the swift passage of the Affirmative Action Bill, Spousal Rights Bill and the Intestate Succession Bill.
He said these would “impact positively on the women, and by extension the children, and of course the dear spouses.”
Ghana has made some marginal progress as far as the representation of women in politics is concerned.
The 2016 election saw an increase in the number of elected women from 30, representing 10.9 percent, in 2012, to 37, representing 13.5 percent.
In 2000, the representation of women in parliament was 9.5 percent, 10.8 percent in 2004 and 9.3 percent in 2006.
Reserved seats for women
The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, also suggested that the number of seats in Parliament be increased from 275 to 300, with a reserved number of 25 seats for women.
According to him, the extra 25 seats should reflect the size and strength of the political parties in Parliament and will help encourage women empowerment in the country.
“Today, we have 275 seats in Ghana’s Parliament. We can decide that we want to add an additional 25 and dedicate it to only women and decide that, that 25 reflects the size and strength of the political parties in Parliament,” he said earlier in December.
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By: Akosua Ofewaa Opoku | citinewsroom.com | Ghana
