Over time, more women have broken carrier and education barriers and have proven to be astute professionals in their chosen fields of endeavour.

The Ghana Statistical Service records the ratio of men to women as one is to four, meaning that out of every five Ghanaians, four are women.

It is very curious to observe very little active participation of women in the political landscape.

As it stands, out of the 275 parliamentary seats in Ghana, only 34 are occupied by women. Again there are only 13 substantive female ministers and only 10 female deputy ministers in Government, out of the 123 ministers in Ghana.

This notwithstanding, there are many notable women in Ghana who have been at the forefront of politics for several years. We recount the contributions of Agnes Oforiwa Tagoe-Quarcoopome and the market women of Makola, to the CPP that enabled it to lead Ghana to political freedom in 1957.

We can also mention the likes of Theodosia Okoh who designed the Ghana National Flag. And many more women who have gone unnoticed because they may not have held any public office.

Fortunately, from the presidential seat to members of parliament, Ghana has seen a surge in women's participation in elections. In the 2016 election, former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings became the first Ghanaian woman to have run for the presidency as a flag bearer. Although she was unable to attract the needed votes to make a bolder political statement for women, she took a step that most people have come to admire and respect. 

As the political atmosphere in Ghana changes it is important to acknowledge the matriarchs of Ghanaian politics who have made invaluable contributions to the nation's political process.

Recent events have made the instrumental role of women more apparent, as a major political party hopes to capitalize on this factor to win power in the December polls.

After the recent appointment of former Education Minister, Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang as the first female running mate for a major political party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ghana, the conversation about the role of women has pervaded every conversation across the nation. Many are hoping to celebrate her as the first female vice president after 7th December 2020.

As the first woman to ever receive an appointment to become the running mate to a major political party in Ghana, Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang adds a lot of value to the upcoming election. Her position offers Ghanaian feminists the opportunity to make a reality what they have been advocating for in a long time - a seat at the table.

In this article, I hope to share inspiring stories of women who have made a bold step into active politics and particularly in the upcoming election. These women are parliament aspirants, presidential & running mate aspirants, women organisers and the like. These are women who will undoubtedly make their make in history in the upcoming elections.

1. Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang

If she wins, she will become the first female Vice President of Ghana. Her records as the first female Vice-chancellor of a public university and former Minister of Education are key contributors to the discussion regarding her potentials to deliver a sterling leadership if her party wins the presidential elections.

2. Samira Bawumia, Second Lady

Her Excellency Samira Bawumia, the second lady of Ghana rose to political prominence during the 2016 general election when she took the initiative to be involved in campaign activities by mounting podiums to promote the policies of her party.

Even though she was not a contestant she was seen as a key pillar in the party's election matters. With her influence on social media, many young women consider her a role model, and she will be expected to continue her advocacy for the NPP's policies and campaign messages in the upcoming elections.

3. Akua Donkor - Presidential Candidate Aspirant

Akua Donkor is the founder and leader of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) and the first woman to register a political party and attempt to run for president in Ghana. Even though she has been unsuccessful on two different attempts, having her face on the presidential ballot paper, in itself is a win for women. She has already announced her running mate to assist her contest for the upcoming 2020 election.

As a farmer and one who has not gone through formal education, her suitability for the role as president of the nation is in doubt. Nonethless, it is without a doubt that her intentions and campaign messages will create a lot of political discussions in the upcoming elections.

4. Dr Hannah Bissiw, National Women Organiser, NDC

Dr Hanna Louisa Bissiw is the current National Women Organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress. As a former Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister, she has exhibited a strong leadership in leading the women caucus of her party to occupy more seats in the next parliament.

As the leader of the women's wing, her responsibilities include ensuring the success of all female candidates under the ticket of the NDC.

Through her advocacy, her party has inaugurated the first-ever female running mate and with her experience in campaigning, she is expected to do a lot in support of women during this period.

5. Kate Gyamfua, National Women Organiser, NPP

With over 3 decades in politics, Kate Gyamfua is the National Women's Organiser of the ruling New Patriotic Party. This position requires her to ensure the participation of that there are more women in parliament.

With her background in women advocacy, she is considered as a mother for all, and has shown stern leadership in steering the women's wing of her party into success.

6. Abena Osei Asare - MP & Deputy Minister 

Abena Osei Asare is the current Deputy Minister of Finance, Member of Parliament and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Atiwa East Constituency in the Eastern Region.

She has served two terms already and is seeking another term. Before joining politics, she worked with the New York University and Barclays Bank in Ghana and was a successful banker and chartered accountant.

As a Member of Parliament, she has been touted with several other achievements aside her role as a Deputy Finance Minister and member of the Finance Committee in Parliament.

Through her office, she has improved health facilities for her constituents including the construction of a 20-bed maternity unit, a doctors' flat and the donation of medical equipment. The youth in her constituency also praise her for also providing them with job opportunities in several areas.

7. Amanda Okyere Kwatia - MP Aspirant

At 27, Amanda Okyere-Kwatia has received the parliamentary candidature of the NDC in the Suhum Constituency and been given the task of unseating the ruling MP. This is a very difficult task which has been unsuccessfully undertaken by previous MCEs and former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah.

Amanda is a graduate from the University of Cape Coast and an alumna of the International Visitors Leadership Program, a leadership and governance fellowship by the Government of the United States of America for emerging global leaders around the world. Her role as the Founder and President of the Amanda Foundation is also supporting evidence of why she is qualified to be elected to parliament.

8. Catherine Afeku, MP & Minister

Catherine Ablema Afeku is the former Minister for Tourism & Creative Arts, Minister of State, Member of Parliament and the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Evalue Gwira Constituency in the Western Region. 

As a parliamentary aspirant bidding for another term in office, she was endorsed during the recent primaries, giving her a great chance to make another statement for women politicians in Ghana.

Under her leadership, she has steered her constituency through projects such as the construction of the Axim Sea Defence Wall, a mini sports stadium at Axim, a DVLA Office, a cassava factory and roads across the constituency.

9. Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, MP & Former Minister 

Cudjoe-Ghansah is the Member of Parliament for Ada and a former Minister of State on Social and Allied Institutions. She is currently the Deputy Minority Chief Whip and is seeking another term on the ticket of the NDC.

In 2016, she won her seat with an 80% endorsement from her constituents and through her position has led several campaigns including being an advocate for affordable sanitary pads for girls. Her constituency is also a growing tourism hub and her leadership will provide a lot of support for individuals hoping to invest in that sector in her constituency. 

10. Cynthia Morrison, MP & Minister 

Cynthia Mamle Morrison is the current Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Member of Parliament and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Agona West Constituency in the Central region.

As an ardent advocate for gender and social protection in Ghana, she has used her various offices to champion countless cases which have gained the admiration of Ghanaians. She has also used her office to assist in developmental projects in her constituency including the construction of boreholes, donation of motorbikes and launching of ICT and entrepreneurship programs

11. Dzifa Gomashie, MP Aspirant & Former Deputy Minister

Dzifa Gomashie is a veteran actress, former Deputy Minister for Tourism and queen mother in the Aflao Traditional Council. She is the current Parliamentary Candidate for the opposition NDC in the Ketu South Constituency.

With the task of delivering victory, her extensive influence will play a major role in garnering votes in the national election as she runs for the NDC in their largest constituency across the country. If she wins, she becomes the first female MP of the largest constituency in Ghana.

12. Francisca Oteng-Mensah, MP & Board Chair of NYA.

Currently known as the youngest MP in Ghana, Francisca Oteng-Mensah is the Member of Parliament and the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Kwabre East Constituency, in the Ashanti Region. She is also the board chairperson of the National Youth Authority.

She has been previously voted as the best MP in the Ashanti Region and featured in Avance Media's ranking of the 50 Most Influential Young Ghanaians ranking. As an MP, she has been able to deliver on her promises and was selected to run unopposed for a return to parliament.

13. Hajia Alima Mahama, MP & Minister.

Hajia Alima Mahama is a lawyer, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Member of Parliament and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Nalerigu/Gambaga constituency in the Northern Region.

As a minister and MP, she has led several projects across the country and is known as the champion for rural development. Through her leadership, several rural communities have been connected to the national grid. She has also supervised the establishment of two senior high schools in her constituency during her recent tenure.

14. Lydia Alhassan, MP 

In 2019, Lydia shocked the country by taking up the task to run for office after the loss of her husband. Although she won the election by popular vote it was marred by so many controversies that involved a commission of enquiry instituted by the president.

As the MP of one of the largest constituencies in Ghana, she also faces competition from actor John Dumelo. But leaning on her track record, she is poised to return to parliament to continue work on policies she has instituted in her short stay in office.

15. Rita Odoley Sowah, Former DCE & Aspiring MP.

Rita Odoley Sowah is former District Chief Executive and current NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the La Dadekotopon Constituency in the Greater Accra Region. 

She has indicated that her mission to parliament is to improve the lives of individuals in her constituency. Tasked to reclaim the seat from the NPP, she is convinced that the massive development she brought to the constituency will be a key determinant in the people's decision on whom to vote for in the upcoming election.

16. Sarah Adwoa Safo, MP & Minister

Sarah Adwoa Safo is the Minister of State for Procurement, the Deputy Majority Leader, Member of Parliament and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Dome Kwabenya Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

After retaining her position to lead the party in the upcoming general elections by 8 votes, she has the onerous task of delivering another victory to the ruling party. In her constituency, she has also led various projects but she is faced with fierce competition from the opposition who are dissatisfied with her work since 2013.

17. Sheila Bartels, Aspiring MP 

Sheila Bartels is an entrepreneur and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the 2020 elections. She defeated the incumbent MP in the party primaries in the Ablekuma North Constituency. 

In 2016, she led an independent campaign organisation called the HOPE Campaign, which helped to sell the ideology and messages of the NPP, contributing immensely to their victory in the general elections.

18. Paulina Patience Abayage, Aspiring MP & Regional Minister 

Paulina Patience Abayage is a former Ambassador to Italy, current Upper East Regional Minister and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Navrongo Central Constituency in the Upper East Region.

She assumed the position after defeating fellow Minister for Aviation, Joseph Kofi Adda. She also becomes the first female aspirant in the constituency and stands a tall chance of becoming the first female MP for Navrongo Central.

19. Tina Gifty Naa Ayele Mensah, MP & Deputy Minister

Tina Mensah is the current Deputy Minister for Health, Member of Parliament and the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Weija-Gbawe Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

As one of the front runners in the COVID-19 pandemic, she has been supportive of the ministry in drafting programs to control the spread of the virus in Ghana. In her constituency, she has also led several projects which have brought development to her people.

20. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, MP & Minister

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful is a queen mother, the current Minister for Communications, Member of Parliament and the NPP Parliament Candidate for the Ablekuma West Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

As the first-ever NPP MP of the constituency since 2012, she has been at the forefront of creating several opportunities for women in her constituency. As a gender advocate, she has openly called for all political parties to allow women to run for various offices in the country.

21. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP 

Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings is the current Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Candidate for the NDC in the Korle Klottey Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

Currently in her first term and seeking another opportunity to represent her constituents in parliament, she seen by many as a star among the youth. She is admired for her stern leadership. As a Medical Doctor, she has also led various medical activities and provided relief and support to her constituents whenever there is flooding in Accra.