Women in political leadership in the central region of Ghana_ challenges and expectations

Abstract

For some time now Ghanaian women have been encouraged and empowered to take active part in decision-making at all levels of society. It is, however, not plain-sailing for women in positions of leadership, especially in the realm of politics. A programme of qualitative research was therefore designed to explore the challenges that confront women in the performance of their responsibilities as political leaders as well as unearth ways of mitigating those challenges. Thirty participants, comprising ten assembly men, ten assembly women, seven women in various party executive positions, one former District Chief Executive, and two female Members of Parliament, were purposively sampled for the study. The theoretical focus of the study was on liberal feminist theory and Paulo Freire’s theory of the pedagogy of the oppressed. It emerged from the study that paternalistic culture, dominated by men, imposes a set of double standards on female leaders, especially politicians. They are on one hand expected by some people to exhibit presumable male traits such as aggressiveness and assertiveness, while on the other hand demonstrating perceived feminine traits such as calmness, shyness, weakness etc. The different moral standards often set for women in leadership positions in politics restrict them from being who they are, while many traditional and religious beliefs and practices inhibit their performance as leaders. Moreover, financial constraints impede their efforts. An appreciation of social diversity and for that matter the potential of females in politics would as a first step enhance the recognition and acceptance accorded them. In order to achieve this political mentoring of young females, financial support, and reform of patriarchal structures are recommended.