Dr. Bossman Asare, Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, recently voiced concerns about the low representation of female candidates in the upcoming 2024 general elections, stressing that the gender gap in political participation undermines inclusive governance. Speaking at the “Enhancing the Electoral Process and Fostering Peaceful Co-existence” forum in Winneba, Dr. Asare addressed an audience of religious and political leaders, emphasizing the indispensable role women play in governance and policy formulation.
With over 800 parliamentary candidates competing nationwide, only 120 are women, a disparity Dr. Asare labeled as "unfortunate." He outlined efforts by the EC to promote female participation, highlighting a 25% reduction in filing fees for female candidates and individuals with disabilities. While male presidential candidates paid GH¢100,000, female candidates and those with disabilities paid GH¢75,000. Similarly, for parliamentary candidates, the filing fees were GH¢10,000 for men and GH¢7,500 for women and disabled persons. These adjustments were introduced to encourage more women to participate, but the results fell short of expectations.
“The numbers that came were not very encouraging,” Dr. Asare remarked, underscoring the challenges in achieving gender equity in Ghana’s electoral landscape. He stressed that the limited representation of women affects not only gender equality but also hinders broader socio-political advancement. “Women’s representation in politics is essential for fostering balanced decision-making and ensuring that the needs and perspectives of all demographics are addressed in national policies,” he stated.
Dr. Asare further called for collaborative action from civil society, government agencies, and political parties to bridge this persistent gender gap. He reiterated the EC’s commitment to promoting elections that inclusively and accurately represent Ghana’s diverse population, underscoring the importance of an equitable electoral process for a stable and peaceful democracy.
He asserted that women’s involvement is essential for balanced decision-making, stating, “Women’s representation in politics is essential for fostering balanced decision-making and ensuring that the needs and perspectives of all demographics are addressed in national policies.”
Dr. Asare called for more efforts to bridge this gender gap, reaffirming the EC’s dedication to conducting elections that fairly and peacefully reflect the diversity of Ghanaian society.
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