Accra: Female voters constituted more than half of those who cast their ballots in the Volta Region during the 2024 general elections, as shown by data from the Regional Directorate of the Electoral Commission (EC). A total of 359,192 females participated in the elections out of 567,196 total voters, surpassing the 302,437 male voters. This represents 53.99 per cent of the total voter turnout, compared to 46.01 per cent for males.
According to Ghana News Agency, the voter turnout of 567,196 accounted for 64.18 per cent of the total registered voters, which numbered 1,023,966 in the region. Mr. Johnson Yao Akafia, the Regional Director of EC, disclosed these figures during the Regional Consultative Forum on Post Election Accountability in Ho. The forum was organized by Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA) in collaboration with NETRIGHT, with funding support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom through STAR-Ghana Foundation. The event aimed to assess the outcomes of the 2024 General Elections by reviewing key observations, identifying challenges, and recommending reforms for future elections.
In contrast to the general voter turnout, parliamentary data revealed a significant gender gap in candidacy. Mr. Akafia noted that only 12 women out of 59 candidates contested the 18 constituency elections in the region, with only two women being elected as Members of Parliament. He attributed this discrepancy to socio-cultural norms, values, and limited political financing opportunities for women. To address these challenges, the EC reduced filing fees for women candidates in the presidential and parliamentary elections to encourage greater participation.
Mrs. Thywill Eyra Kpe, Volta Regional Director of the Department of Gender, stressed the importance of implementing the 2024 Affirmative Action Law, which targets a 30 per cent female representation. It is hoped that by 2027, this figure will rise to 35 per cent, with aspirations for a 50 per cent representation in the future, given that women make up approximately 52.30 per cent of the population.
Madam Rosemond Ewoenam Atutonu, Executive Director of GLOWA, emphasized the forum's role in addressing the low representation of women in governance and advocating for gender-inclusive policies. Participants, including civic society groups, the NCCE, Peace Council, chiefs, queenmothers, and youth groups, identified various barriers to women's full participation in governance. These included the lack of women-specific programs in media and education, cultural norms that discourage female leadership, and insufficient support for female candidates.
The forum highlighted the need for systemic changes, such as the establishment of women's versions of National and Regional Houses of Chiefs and a greater focus on empowerment and representation in academic curricula. Participants called for increased advocacy and community engagement to foster a more gender-responsive governance and inclusive democracy in the country.
