Gender and the Composition of Corporate Boards

Abstract

This article examines the gender composition of corporate boards of listed companies in Ghana. Results indicate that women were insignificantly represented and that younger firms had more women on their boards than firms established four decades ago. In addition, the study found that it is only after the initial listing that companies found it necessary to appoint women directors. As firms expand, they tend to employ fewer women on their corporate boards. Also, women were engaged more in the service and financial sectors than the manufacturing and construction industries. Interest-ingly, local companies appointed relatively more women as board members than their multinational counterparts.