President Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to working towards the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill into law.
He expressed his commitment to the passage of the long-awaited bill when a delegation of the African Women Leaders Network, AWLN, Ghana Chapter called on him at the Jubilee House.
The leadership of AWLN was at the Jubilee House to formally introduce the Network to the President and garner his support in addressing critical gender-related issues in the country including the need for an Affirmative Action law in Ghana.
Acknowledging the challenges, the Bill is likely to face in the current male-dominated Parliament, President Akufo-Addo stressed the importance of intense advocacy and cross-party collaboration to facilitate the bill’s passage into law.
The President advised AWLN Ghana and other gender related groups to develop effective strategies through dialogue and advocacy to win the cooperation of Parliament for the passage of the bill when tabled in the House.
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Lariba Zuweira Abudu said the ministry is finalizing a new Gender policy to be added to the bill before placing it before Parliament.
The Chairperson of AWLN Ghana Chapter, Dr Charity Binka, commended President Akufo-Addo for his exemplary leadership as a gender equality advocate, his role as the African Union Overall Gender Champion and his contributions to gender-related initiatives across the continent.
She acknowledged some strides Ghana has made in the promotion of gender equality and empowerment, which are evident in the appointment of women into high positions such as Chief Justice, two of whom were appointed under the current government.
She however expressed concerned about the low representation of women in leadership at both national and local levels.
Dr Binka noted that with women’s representation of just 14.5% in Parliament, Ghana is still behind in reaching the UN’s Women’s quota of 30 percent representation at all levels of decision-making.
The Convenor of the Affirmative Action Bill Coalition, Sheila Minkah Premo, highlighted the importance of the bill with reference to Article 17(4) of the 1992 Constitution.
She disclosed that the Coalition and other Civil Society Organizations are engaging Parliament to pass the bill into law when placed before the house this time.
She however, emphasized the difference that the President’s influence and support would make in amplifying these efforts.
At the Jubilee House to add their voice to the call for the passage of the bill were Mrs. Elizabeth Akpalu, a gender champion in Ghana and Madam Afua Ansre, a senior gender specialist with the UN Women, Ghana.