By: Edith Atiaka Eshun
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has held a two-day high-level strategic workshop aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of the Affirmative Action, known as the Gender Equity Act, 2024, Act 1121.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, MGCSP, Dr. Mrs. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey said the Act which is aimed at progressively increasing women’s representation in decision-making across public and private sectors targets at least 30 per cent by 2026 and 50 per cent by 2034.
The retreat brought together members of the Ministry’s Advisory Board, Parliamentarians, members of the newly constituted Gender Equity Committee, representatives from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, civil society organizations and academia. The rest are development partners including the UNDP, UN Women, UNICEF and the World Food Programme.
The two-day workshop was dedicated to enhancing participants’ understanding of key provisions of the Act and develop a strategic implementation framework, outlining actionable strategies, timelines and coordination mechanisms for a nationwide rollout.
The passage of the Act in July last year, marked a historic turning point in Ghana’s pursuit of gender equity, inclusive governance and sustainable national development.
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Mrs. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, announced that the Ministry has initiated steps to draft the Legislative Instrument, L.I. for the full operationalization of the Act. With this, it has distributed copies of the law to MDAs, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, MMDAs, the security services, and other stakeholders with infographics and awareness materials developed to support advocacy and training activities across the various sectors.
Dr. Mrs. Lartey called for collective collaboration in the implementation process; stating that its success is dependent on the coordinated efforts of the government, development partners, civil society, academia, the media and local communities.
The meeting saw the swearing-in of members of the Gender Equity Committee as well as the Ministerial Advisory Board in line with Section 39 of the Civil Service Act of 1993, PNDC Law 327.
The Gender Equity Committee is mandated to among other responsibilities, advise the Minister on relevant policy issues related to the Act’s implementation whereas the Ministerial Advisory Board will facilitate regular engagements between the Ministry and stakeholders and advise on adjustments in policy direction and strategic planning.
Chaired by the Sector Minister, members of both the Committee and Board swore the Oath of Office and Secrecy. Mrs. Lartey commended all partners for the platform to champion the Affirmative Action Act.
