Female MPs Sidelined

The issue of promoting women in Ghana to higher positions seems to be hitting walls as most of the female Member of Parliament (MPs) have been relegated to the backyard on most of the committees. Analysis of the report of the Committee of Selection on the composition of committee of Parliament indicates that out of 30 committees, comprising 14 standing committees and 16 select committees, only one committee has a woman as its chairperson. Among all the committees it is only the Gender and Children Committee that has the Member of Parliament (MP) for Pusiga, Laadi Ayii Ayamba as its chair with Gifty Eugenia and Grace Addo, MPs for Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Manso-Nkwanta as Ranking and Deputy Ranking members respectively. Another in higher position on a committee, a part from the chairperson and Vice Chairperson us the ranking member. But of the 30 committees and the Gender and Children committee, only one committee, Judiciary has a female MP as its ranking member (Easter Obeng Dapaah). Out of the 30 committees, only four women have been made deputy ranking members apart from the Gender and Children and Judiciary committees. According to the report of the committee, the re-composition of the committees became necessary as a result of some MPs being appointed by President John Mahama as Minsters and Deputy Ministers. In line with Order 193 of the Standing Orders, the Majority and Minority caucuses presented their reviewed list for the standing and select committees in accordance with the approved ration of 55:45.