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Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has demanded immediate and intentional changes to increase the number of women in Ghana’s legislature.
He made this observation at a gathering on Monday, June 30, when Parliament observed the International Day of Parliamentarianism alongside the rest of the world.
With the theme “Achieving Gender Equality, Action by Action,” this year’s celebration centers on the worldwide issue of women’s underrepresentation in legislative bodies.
Although Ghana’s parliamentary democracy has advanced significantly over the last thirty-two years, Mr. Bagbin pointed out that the rate of gender inclusiveness is still far behind expectations.
He explained that the day was not only a time for celebration but also for introspection, an opportunity to evaluate democratic advancements, and an opportunity to address systemic inequalities, especially the enduring gender disparity in Ghana’s Parliament.
“Parliamentarianism must evolve to fully reflect the society it serves,” the Speaker said, “and that cannot happen without genuine gender equity in representation, participation, and leadership.”
The Speaker cited the 2025 Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) report honoring the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) and disclosed that, in just three decades, Ghana’s female parliamentary representation has increased by just 6.6 percentage points, from 8% in 1995 to 14.6% in 2025.
Ghana is now ranked 137th out of 168 nations in the world.
“This is a sobering statistic,” he said. “It underscores that Ghana is lagging behind many of its African counterparts. We must act with intention to reverse this trend.”
He cautioned that inclusive policymaking is weakened and the creation of gender-responsive legislation is constrained by the absence of gender parity in parliaments.
“Our democracy cannot be fully responsive to the needs of all citizens or truly participatory without female voices at the table.”
The Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), which was passed last year to implement a phased quota system for women in both public and commercial institutions, was supported by the Speaker as a solution to the issue.
He emphasized that Parliament must set the example by ensuring that the law is fully implemented and enforcing it among political parties.
“Let us not only pass laws but ensure they are realised in practice. Parliament must lead by example,” he asserted.
Mr Bagbin also called for renewed investment in the Women’s Caucus in Parliament, which he described as a vital organ in the fight for gender-inclusive lawmaking. He proposed a dedicated budget, permanent staff, and formal involvement in legislative planning to enhance the caucus’s influence in shaping national policy.
Additionally, he urged the launch of nationwide civic education campaigns aimed at fostering public support for women’s political participation. Such campaigns, he said, would help break cultural and institutional barriers discouraging women from entering public life.
To sustain progress, the Speaker called for stronger collaboration between Parliament, civil society, development partners, and academia to provide technical and logistical support for female political aspirants.
He praised initiatives like the Citizens’ Bureau Office under the Open Government Partnership, which offers a framework for boosting transparency and facilitating deeper engagement between Parliament and the citizenry.
“The road to gender equity in Parliament is a shared responsibility,” he said. “It requires not just commitment, but consistent, strategic action.”
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
