After more than two decades of multiple parliamentary deliberations, Ghana’s Parliament passed the Affirmative Action Bill on July 30, 2024.
The bill mandates the government to set progressive targets for achieving gender equity in public office, governance, and decision-making processes.
The Affirmative Action Bill, which has been a recurring feature in various parliaments under the Fourth Republic, was successfully passed in the 8th Parliament.
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The bill is designed to create a more equitable society by addressing socio-cultural, political, economic, and educational imbalances. It is set to be implemented across both public and private sectors, marking a significant step forward in the fight for gender equality in Ghana.
Having been passed by Parliament, the bill now awaits presidential assent to become law. Implementation is expected to begin this year, with a target to achieve 30% gender equity across all sectors by 2026.
Between 2026 and 2028, the goal is to reach 40% parity, moving toward the Sustainable Development Goal 5 target of 50% parity by 2030.
Just weeks after the bill’s passage, civil society groups, including SEND Ghana, are urging President Akufo-Addo to promptly sign the Affirmative Action Bill into law. They argue that this step is crucial to fulfilling the aspirations of countless Ghanaians who have long advocated for gender equity.
According to Siapha Kamara, the Chief Executive Officer of SEND Ghana, “The passage of the Bill by Parliament on July 30, 2024, is a game changer.” Kamara emphasized that the bill is essential for empowering women to take up significant positions and participate in leadership roles at all levels of governance.
He added that the low participation of women in decision-making roles has been a longstanding issue, and the bill will help to break these barriers.
However, during a press briefing, the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, clarified that the bill is not yet with the President.
The Minister explained, “The bill is still undergoing some legal framework processes and will take some time to reach the President.”
She assured the public, “It is not as if the bill is with the President, and he has refused to sign it. Let’s exercise restraint as some work is still being done on the bill. The President will sign it as soon as it reaches him.”
The passage of the Affirmative Action Bill marks a pivotal moment in Ghana’s legislative history. As the country anticipates the President’s assent, the focus remains on the implementation of this landmark law and its potential to transform gender equity across all sectors in Ghana.
Source: 3news
