This follows the fallout of a significant number of female incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) in the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary elections held last Saturday.

In a major upset, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Freda Prempeh, was ousted in the Tano North constituency. Challenger Dr. Gideon Boako, Spokesperson for the Vice President and NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, cruised to victory with 444 votes against Prempeh’s 221.

Similarly, Dome-Kwabenya witnessed a stunning defeat for Adwoa Safo, the outspoken Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection. Mike Ocquaye Jr., son of former Speaker Mike Ocquaye, secured a convincing win with 1194 votes, leaving Safo with only 328.

The Abuakwa North constituency also saw a change of guard, with incumbent Gifty Twum-Ampofo narrowly losing to Nana Ampaw Addo-Frempong. Popularly known as “Buffalo,” Addo-Frempong garnered 222 votes compared to Twum-Ampofo’s 202.

In a statement issued on Monday, the PNC expressed concern about the trend and indicated that it could potentially result in decreased representation of women in the 2024 elections.

“It is disappointing that the NPP did not implement measures to protect female parliamentarians in this election. The creation of both Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden shows that God intended for both men and women to contribute to progress and protect His creation. Therefore, it is disheartening to see women being marginalized in politics,” it added.

The PNC therefore urged “all women in Ghana to utilize demonstrations and boycotts, including potentially boycotting the 2024 elections, if the Affirmative Action Bill is not passed into law prior to the elections.”

It added that “Both the NPP and the NDC, as political parties represented in parliament, have taken the women of Ghana for granted. We appeal to all women in Ghana, including female politicians, food sellers, market women, women in farming, and those in the private and public sectors, to stand up and demonstrate for their rights.”