Issues of Women’s Political Participation and Decision-Making in Local Governance: Perspectives from the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

This article suggests that although women participate in voting during district assembly elections and are very active in voluntary associations where the majority of them exhibit their leadership skill, they are marginalized in local governance politics. Their leadership qualities have not been translated into leadership opportunities in local governance because of factors such as patriarchy, poverty, lack of access to financial resources, and illiteracy. The study recommends that more attention should be paid to more training at the grassroots level using women’s voluntary associations to improve women’s agency in contesting for, and participating in, local governance elections.

Keywords:

• women
• local governance
• politics
• decision-making

Notes

¹ Macho men are strong young men who are recruited by politicians as their bodyguards, but also have the capacity to terrorize opponents of those who recruited them.