Statistics from the population and housing census puts Ghana’s female population at 51%.
Currently, there are 36 women in Ghana’s parliament and this represents 12.75 percent from both the majority and minority sides, a clear short of the 30 percent representation set by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
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The figure is an increase of 7, as against the election 2012 figure of 29, where 133 women contested 102 parliamentary seats.
Yet females are underrepresented in Ghana’s legislature.
The figure is worse and lacks representation regionally.
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Though the figure represents a slight increase from 29, some gender activists have complained that women’s representation in the Legislature was still low, as it still fell short of the minimum UN recommended threshold of 30 per cent requirement, that was deemed satisfactory by activists at the Beijing Conference of 1995.
Indeed, women’s representation in Parliament has not been impressive since the country returned to constitutional rule in 1993.
The First Parliament of the Fourth Republic had 16 women out of the 200 MPs, and the Second, Third and Fourth parliaments, saw a slight increase in the number of female parliamentarians.
Below is a list of female MPs who form part of the 7th Parliament of Ghana’s 4th Republic.
Name of MP – Political party – Constituency
Tina Gifty Naa Ayeley Mensah – NPP – Weija Gbawe
Sophia Karen Ackuaku – NDC – Domeabra/Obom
Shirley Ayorkor Botchway – NPP – Anyaa Sowutuom
Sarah Adwoa Safo – NPP – Dome-Kwabenya
Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie – NPP – Ablekuma North
Ursula Owusu Ekuful – NPP – Ablekuma West
Dr. Zanetor Rawlings – NDC – Klottey Korle
Elizabeth Afoley Quaye – NPP – Krowor
Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo – NDC – Shai Osudoku
Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah – NDC – Ada East
Nana Dokua Asiamah Adjei – NPP – Akropong
Mercy Adu-Gyamfi – NPP – Akwatia
Gifty Twum Ampofo – NPP – Abuakwa North
Abena Osei Asare – NPP – Atiwa East
Betty Mensah Nana Afua Krosby – NDC – Afram Plains North
Joyce Adwoa Akoh Dei – NPP – Bosome Freho
Ama Pomaa Boateng – NPP – Juaben
Francisca Oteng Mensah – NPP – Kwabre East
Patricia Appiagyei – NPP – Asokwa
Barbara Asher Ayisi – NPP – Cape Coast North
Queenstar Ama Pokua Sawyerr – NDC – Agona East
Naana Eyiah Quansah – NPP – Gomoa Central
Cynthia Maamle Morrison – NPP – Agona West
Abena Durowaa Mensah – NPP – Assin North
Mavis Hawa Koomson – NPP – Awutu Senya East
Ayamba Laddi Ayii – NDC – Pusiga
Joycelyn Tetteh – NDC – North Dayi
Della Sowah – NDC – Kpando
Helen Adjoa Ntoso – NDC – Krachi West
Angela Oforiwaa Alorwu Tay – NDC – Afadjato South
Bernice Adiku Heloo – NDC – Hohoe
Hajia Alima Mahama – NPP – Nalerigu/Gambaga
Catherine Abelema Afeku – NPP – Evalue Ajomoro- Gwira
Barbara Oteng-Gyasi – NPP – Prestea Huni Valley
Freda Prempeh – NPP – Tano North
Lydia Seyram Alhassan – NPP – Ayasaso West Wuogon
Source: Pulse.com.gh