The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has voiced concern over the lack of female representation in the forthcoming Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election, noting that none of the contesting parties has nominated a woman.

Addressing participants at a Political Inclusion and Consensus Building Forum convened by the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the speaker underscored that genuine inclusivity must take root within political parties before it can be realised in the legislature. According to him, political organisations bear the primary responsibility for promoting gender balance through their candidate selection processes.

“Political parties are the gateways to representation. Parliament is the arena where representation becomes decision-making. Therefore, inclusion must begin in parties and mature in Parliament,” he said.

Bagbin disclosed that he had anticipated at least one party would present a female aspirant for the March 3 poll but said that expectation has not materialised.

“I was waiting for any party to have fielded a female candidate in the Ayawaso East by-election. I will personally support the candidate because we need more of our women in Parliament. Unfortunately, the parties have disappointed me,” he stated.

The by-election follows the passing of the incumbent legislator, Mahama Naser Toure, who died in January while undergoing treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Five aspirants are vying for the seat. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has nominated Baba Jamal, who occupies the first slot on the ballot. Yussif Baba Ali represents the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and is positioned third, while Ibrahim Iddrisu of the Liberal People’s Party (LPP) holds the second spot.

Two independent contenders, Alhaji Mohammed Umar Sanda and David Kannor, will appear fourth and fifth respectively.

In a related development, the NDC has withdrawn the membership of Mohammed Umar Sanda after he opted to run as an independent candidate, describing his decision as inconsistent with the party’s constitutional provisions.