Male Over-Representation in Ghana

Since its transition to civilian rule and multiparty politics in 1992, Ghana has experienced six legislative elections. During this period, men have consistently dominated politics, holding around 90 percent of parliamentary seats. In the most recent December 2012 elections, for example, men won 89.1% of the seats, which was only slightly less than the 91.7% of seats that they held in the previous legislature. This paper seeks to add to our understanding of male over-representation in two ways. First, the paper explores regional variation in patters of male over-representation. It hypothesizes that male overrepresentation will be more pronounced in rural areas where clientelism is strongest (Bjarnegard 2013). It analyzes the results of legislative and district assembly elections to explore whether male overrepresentation is heightened in rural areas. Second, it compares the biographical characteristics and career trajectories of male and female representatives in the 2008-2012 and 2012-2016 legislatures. It demonstrates systematic differences in men’s and women’s education, professional backgrounds, and life experiences. In so doing, it generates insight into perspectives that are excluded from male-dominated institutions. In this sense, the paper complements existing work based in other African states. Tripp (2014), for example, has found that male MPs in Uganda are three times as likely as female MPs to be lawyers and that male MPs are more likely to be married. By understanding sub-national variation in levels of male overrepresentation and differences in the biographical characteristics of male and female representatives, the paper elucidates the causes and effects of male overrepresentation. It is animated by the hope that a better understanding of the effects of male overrepresentation can lead to the adoption of policies that promote high quality representation for all citizens.