Factors which predispose voters to vote for women parliamentary candidates a case study at Manhyia South constituency in Ghana

Abstract

On gender basis, there is great skewness towards men in the Ghanaian Parliament, such that majority of seats (246) are occupied by men whilst only 29 seats are occupied by women. This research therefore aimed at investigating the factors that the predisposition of voters to vote for women in parliamentary affairs in Ghana, using Manhyia Constituency as a case study. Case study research based on empirical research method was adopted to investigate this contemporary phenomenon within its real – life context. Using the 2010 population census data, 400 eligible voters were selected at random by way of secret ballot based on Yamane (1967) sample size determination formulae. Data were accessed by means of structured questionnaire. Pre-coded response types were grouped into two; demographic and socio – economic factors of the eligible voters. The research instrument was pre-tested at Dichemso and Manhyia with 33 respondents to ascertain its validity and effectiveness. Data were collected between January 2017 and March 2017. The data collection was conducted at Dichemso, Afia Kobi, Manhyia, K.O, Odumase and CPC. Data were coded, entered into the SPSS (version 20) statistical software and cleaned, before commencing data analysis using STATA (version 13). A mathematical model was established for the theoretical model as Qif = f (DF, SE); where Qif = predisposition of voters to vote for women, DF = demographic factors and SE = socio-economic factors. The results of the study showed that 82% of respondent were willing to vote for a female candidate in the parliamentary elections. It was further revealed that at p < 0.01, income level and marital status showed a positive relationship with the tendency to vote for female candidate contesting for parliamentary election. It was concluded that education, marital status, employment status and Income are the main factors that affect the predisposition of voters to vote for women in parliamentary election, and that married eligible voters with high educational level and income status are more likely to vote for a female candidate contesting for parliamentary elections. It is recommended that all stakeholders interested in female parliamentary representations should be at the forefront of endeavouring to make the Ghanaian society an elite society where majority of citizens are well educated and of good financial standing.