Dr. Bossman Asare, the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), has voiced his worries regarding the low participation of female candidates in Ghana’s 2024 general elections, highlighting this issue as a considerable gender gap that obstructs inclusive political representation.
Speaking at a forum in Winneba titled “Enhancing the Electoral Process and Fostering Peaceful Co-existence,” Dr. Asare addressed an audience of religious leaders and political representatives, underscoring the crucial role of women in governance. Out of more than 800 parliamentary candidates nationwide, only 120 are women, a situation Dr. Asare called “unfortunate.”
“In this year’s nomination, the filing fee for female candidates and persons with disabilities was reduced by 25 percent,” he pointed out. “So for the presidential election, male candidates paid GH¢100,000, while female candidates and persons with disabilities paid GH¢75,000. For the parliamentary elections, male candidates paid GH¢10,000, while female candidates and persons with disabilities paid GH¢7,500. The idea was to encourage more women to take part in the process, but unfortunately, the numbers that came were not very encouraging.”
Despite these reductions in fees, Dr. Asare stressed that the low number of women in Parliament not only impacts gender equality but also limits socio-political advancement. 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.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mary Asantewaa Buabeng
