Magistrate Court judge and Queen of Bake, Afetornyonufia, Ho Bankoe of the Asogli State, Mama Bobi III, has called for the inclusion of queenmothers in Ghana’s traditional leadership structures, particularly the House of Chiefs.
She bemoaned the lack of recognition for queenmothers, stating that they are often reduced to ceremonial roles and denied equal status in the traditional system.
“For the past three years that I’ve been a queenmother, what I see is disheartening. Chiefs and the people do not see queenmothers as chiefs enough. They believe we are only complimentary — objects of beautification,” she said.
Mama Bobi III was speaking during a panel discussion at a national dialogue on the implementation of Ghana’s Affirmative Action Act held in Accra on Tuesday, June 24.
She noted that no woman is currently represented at the National House of Chiefs, the Regional Houses of Chiefs, or traditional councils.
According to her, even when a paramount chief is absent, the paramount queenmother is overlooked in favour of a divisional chief.
“They do not see the paramount queenmother as equal. They would rather choose a divisional chief and rate him higher, and that is a problem,” she lamented.
She stressed that achieving equal representation in Parliament and other national institutions will remain difficult if entrenched cultural attitudes and perceptions are not changed.
“We need to get to a point where, when you put a man and a woman together, the focus will be on competence — not on whether she is married, has a child, or is pretty,” she added.
The Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, passed in July 2024 and assented to by the President in September, mandates a progressive increase in women’s representation in leadership.
It sets a minimum target of 30% by 2026 and 50% by 2034, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5.
