MPs-CSO in a photograph at the Breakfast Meeting on Gender Advocacy to Parliament in Accra
Some female Members of Parliament (MPs) have accused the country’s Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of contributing to women’s underrepresentation in Ghana’s parliament.
NDC MP for Afram Plains North, Betty Nana Efua Krosbi Mensah, who fired the first salvos, said statistics show that over 51% of the population is made up of women, yet women representation in Parliament is only 14.5%.
She was speaking at the MPs-CSO Breakfast Meeting held in Accra on Gender Advocacy to Parliament organized by the Parliamentary Network Africa, a non-governmental organization.
According to MP Krosbi Mensah, gender-based efforts launched by some CSOs tend to favour men, leaving female MPs with little or no support.
“When we look at our population and the number of female representatives in parliament, it is disheartening. CSOs are investing in gender-based programs that support male MPs in retaining their seats while excluding female MPs,” she explained.
Betty Krosbi, highlighting CSO neglect, added that they work with District Assemblies led by DCEs, the shadows of MPs who turn around to unseat them.
“Would you be helping me to remain in this seat so we can continue to work together to formulate policies, or would you be working against me to reduce the number of female MPs since you intend working behind our backs?” she quizzed.
Betty Krosbi accused CSOs of reinforcing the perception that MPs are development agents, saying, “When campaign season comes, CSOs will come to our constituencies to organize debates, and score aspirants who promise development amenities higher than MPs without regard to the work we do and resources availability.”
NPP MP for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei indicated that lack of collaboration between MPs and CSOs in recent times has affected the female numbers in Parliament.
She, on the other hand, complimented CSOs for their critical role in parliament’s work through policy formulation, adding that they have held in the crafting of the Affirmative Action Bill and the Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill.
Sammy Obeng, Executive Director of Parliamentary Network Africa, said the GAP Project, supported by the French Embassy in Ghana, has created the opportunity to deepen their working connection with female MPs.
“We exchanged ideas and looked into collaboration opportunities to help increase the number of female representatives in our parliament,” he said.
BY Prince FiifiYorke