At least 17 women have so far been elected by the delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to contest parliamentary elections in 11 constituencies across the country for the 2020 general election.
That constitutes about 10.8 per cent of the total of 157 elected in the first batch of the parliamentary primaries held last Saturday nationwide.
Out of the number, the Greater Accra and Volta regions had four each, two from the Eastern, two each from Brong Ahafo and Central and one each from the Savannah and Western regions.
Whereas five of the women who won last Saturday’s parliamentary primaries are incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs), the remaining nine are fresh faces. Some are businesswomen, philanthropists and former district/municipal chief executives.
The incumbent MPs who won are Madam Helen Ntoso (Krachi West), Ms Linda Obenewaa A. Oklu (Shai Osudoku), Dr Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings (Klottey Korley), Dela Sowah (Kpando) and Joycelyn Tetteh (North Dayi).
The fresh faces are Hajia Zuwera Braimah (Salaga South), Mavis Ama Frimpong (New Abirem), Ms Amanda Okyere (Suhum), Dorcas Toffey (Jomoro), Millicent Amankwa Yeboah (Sunyani West) Elikplim Akurugu (Dome-Kwabenya), Rachel Owusuah (Dormaa East), Madam Rita Odoley Sowah (La Dadekotopon), Dzifa Gomashie (Ketu South), Margaret Quarcoo (Hohoe), Betty Mensah (Afram Plains North), Ms Gizella Tetteh (Awutu Senya West) and Ms Emelia Ankomah (Upper Denkyira East).
Male battle
The constituencies where some of the women won had males as their contenders. For instance, in the Dome-Kwabenya, Salaga South and Klottey Korle constituencies, the women had to battle it out with male contenders who allegedly tried to influence the delegates to vote for them.