Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Member of Parliament for Ho West and Chairman of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, has expressed deep concern over the persistent underrepresentation of women in legislatures, including Ghana’s Parliament, where female MPs make up just 14.6%—a figure that places the country 137th globally.
While acknowledging progress, such as the passage of the Affirmative Action Gender Act (Act 1121 of 2024) and the establishment of support structures like the Women’s Caucus and Ladies in Parliamentary Service (LiPS), he noted that systemic barriers remain a challenge.
“Cultural norms, weak enforcement of equity laws, and a lack of civic education continue to stifle progress,” he noted. He called for tougher reforms, better enforcement mechanisms, and broader civic engagement to achieve real transformation.
The Ho MP raised the concern in a thought-provoking statement in Parliament on Tuesday, July 1, as Ghana joined the rest of the world in observing the International Day of Parliamentarianism on June 30. He stressed the need for stronger democratic practices, gender equality, and open governance.
Focusing on the theme “Achieving Gender Equality, Action by Action,” Hon. Bedzrah emphasised that meaningful change requires sustained and intentional actions by all sectors of society.
“Achieving gender equality isn’t about making women like men or men like women,” he said. “It’s about ensuring equal rights and opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender.”
Reflecting on Parliament’s role in Ghana’s democratic evolution, Hon. Bedzrah praised the institution’s contributions to stability and accountability, especially during the 2020 hung Parliament, which fostered greater bipartisanship. However, he did not shy away from addressing flaws.
“Parliament has had its challenges—episodes of disorder, partisan walkouts, and diminished public trust. These incidents have hurt our image,” he stated. Citing a 2024 survey showing minimal public recognition of Parliament’s lawmaking and oversight roles, he advocated for intensified public education and institutional reforms.
Hon. Bedzrah also highlighted Ghana’s recent achievements under the Open Government Partnership framework. He welcomed the launch of the Open Parliament Steering Committee and a new Action Plan centred on transparency, accountability, public participation, and technology.
He said, “These initiatives are critical. They aim to address limited citizen access to parliamentary processes and promote inclusion, particularly among youth and women.”
He stressed Ghana’s growing leadership in the open governance movement across the region, referencing its top ranking in the 2022 Open Parliament Index and its influence on similar reforms in Côte d’Ivoire and Benin.
Hon. Bedzrah reaffirmed Parliament’s duty to uphold democratic values and represent the voices of all Ghanaians.
“Let this day remind us of the responsibility we bear as legislators. We must strive for a Parliament that is transparent, inclusive, and truly reflective of the people it serves,” he said.
The International Day of Parliamentarianism, established by the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, serves as a global reminder of the critical role legislatures play in upholding democracy, accountability, and citizen engagement.
