Enhancing women's political fortunes: Is a 50/50 Campaign possible?

 The 50/50  Campaign as a tool for enhancing women’s political participation has gained currency

in recent time.  Its call for equal participation of women and men in politics and public office

has reinvigorated various activisms globally.  This paper examines the  Campaign within the

context of  Ghanaian women’s political fortunes.  Contesting its feasibility against a background

of women’s poor performance at national elections and political appointments, it argues that

the success stories in countries such as  Rwanda,  Sierra  Leone,  Uganda and  South  Africa are

inspirational.  Historically,  Ghana has shown some leadership in promoting women’s political

participation such as the landmark  People’s  Representation  Bill of 1960.  Yet today, women

are severely under-represented in  Ghana’s legislature with only 37 women, forming a paltry

13.5% of the 275-member  Parliament.  Such persistently grave inequalities have called for more

drastic initiatives as the 50/50  Campaign.  Although the initiative has spread globally,  Ghana

has been slow to act.  However, the launch of the  Planet 50:50 agenda during the 2017  World’s

 Women’s  Day signals some renewed interest.  This paper provides an overview of the  Campaign

by highlighting its origins, intents and progress.  Narrowing down on the  Ghanaian context,

it examines how women have fared in national elections and political appointments since

the  Fourth  Republic.  It finds that although women have done poorly in the past, thus casting

doubt on the feasibility of a 50/50  Campaign, there is still great promise in light of the various

commitments aimed at promoting women’s political participation.  It finds that those  African

countries that have embraced the  Campaign have made significant progress in democratic

participation and thus offer useful lessons for  Ghana.  It concludes that like such countries,

 Ghana can benefit from the  Campaign but only if it renews its commitments and pursues a

rigorous action agenda backed with resources.