Trailblazers of Ghanaian Politics: The women who entered Ghana's 1st Parliament

Susanna Al-Hassan, Sophia Doku, Ayanori Bukari, Lucy Anim, and Mary Koranteng entered Ghana's Parliament in 1960. Ghana witnessed the entry of its first 10 women into Parliament following the passage of the Representation of the People (Women Members) Bill.

These women were elected unopposed on the ticket of the Convention People's Party (CPP) to represent newly created women's seats in the 104-member National Assembly. Susanna Al-Hassan, born on November 27, 1927, entered Parliament representing the Northern Region. In 1961, she became Ghana's first female minister. From 1961 to 1963, she served as Deputy Minister of Education. From 1963 to 1966, she was appointed Minister of Social Affairs. Sophia Margaret Oboshie Doku entered Parliament in 1960, representing the Greater Accra Region. Before entering Parliament, she served as an assistant welfare officer at the Department of Social Welfare in 1953. Cecelia Ayanori Bukari-Yakubu served as a Member of Parliament representing the Northern and Upper Regions from 1960 to 1965 and later represented Pusiga from 1965 to 1966. Lucy Anin, born on June 13, 1939, served as a Member of Parliament representing the Brong Ahafo Region from 1960 to 1965 and later as MP for the Bechem constituency from 1965 to 1966. Mary Winifred Koranteng, born on December 25, 1922, served as a Member of Parliament