The current representation of women in Ghana's Parliament is under serious threat if stakeholders do not take extraordinary measures to improve the situation. Currently, women
constitute about 15% of Ghana's parliament with 40 women Parliamentarians out of the total

Although this number falls short of the international best practice of 30% representation,
it risks further decline in December 2024 when Ghana goes to the polls to elect
Parliamentarians for the 10th Parliament under the 4th Republic.

FOSDA's analysis of the results of the recent parliamentary primaries conducted by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the leading opposition political party, indicates that the NDC has nominated a total of 32 women to contest in the 2024 national parliamentary elections. This number constituted 12% of the total 275 nominated parliamentary candidates.
Interestingly, the NDC nominated a similar number of women, 33 in 2019 to contest the 2020 parliamentary elections, out of which 20 were elected.

The Ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is yet to go for primaries to nominate its parliamentary candidate for the 2024 General elections. However, it is worth noting that the NPP also nominated 33 female candidates, representing 12%, to contest the Parliamentary elections in

Like the NDC, 20 women out of the 33 won the elections. A total of 62 women
contested the NPP primaries for the 2020 elections out of 485 candidates representing 12.78%.

The promise of an Affirmative Action law on Gender Equality in Ghana started in 2011 when the Gender Ministry set up a 21-member committee to research and make proposals for a bill.

After over a decade, this promise is yet to be a reality, especially for Ghanaian women who are significantly underrepresented in Ghana's Parliament, local governance, and other decisionmaking circles.

FOSDA is calling on the Government of Ghana and the President of the Republic of Ghana to ensure the passage of the Affirmative Action on Gender Equality before the 2024 General Elections.

The Law, when passed, will ensure a boost in women's representation in parliamentand other Governance Structures. FOSDA also urges Political Parties who have not yet conducted their parliamentary primaries for the 2024 Parliamentary elections to adopt policies and measures that will support women
and ensure more female candidates are nominated to contest and win the 2024 Parliamentary
Elections.

Additionally, it is also critical for women to support women and vote for competent and credible women.It is also crucial for all stakeholders including civil society organizations, and development
partners to support women who are willing to contest the elections.

Theodora W. Anti
Executive Director
Contact No. 0205336268
Email: Theodora@fosda