Performance Levels of Secondary School Sports Managers in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Electoral gender quotas are often considered a mechanism for fostering increased inclusion and improving the democratic landscape. However, a body of literature critiques them as ‘artificial’ solutions to address women’s under-representation in politics, sometimes seen as tools to legitimize authoritarian regimes. With the above background, this epilogue engages with these debates and explores the perspectives and experiences of grassroots actors to assess the feasibility of implementing electoral gender quotas in Ghana. Employing a purposive and snowball sampling design, we conducted unstructured interviews with twenty-five grassroots participants. Qualitative data analysis using Gioia’s method was employed to examine the data. The findings suggest a framework for a quota system that emphasizes open procedures, low-level participation, clear communication, equity, cultural sensitivity, diversity-merit balance, and safeguards against tokenism. To tackle the underrepresentation of women in Ghana’s parliament, this framework is rooted in grassroots insights, highlighting the significance of financing, inclusive political party structures, affirmative action legislation, education, and societal re-socialization. The study puts forth several recommendations, advocating for accountability and transparency to boost women’s political participation, conducting outreach and education campaigns to inform grassroots political players about affirmative action policies, providing women with adequate resources and support for empowerment, and regularly evaluating the success of affirmative action campaigns. These ideas, addressing historical injustices and promoting diversity and inclusion, aim to create a more equitable and welcoming environment within political parties.