President John Mahama has pledged to implement the Affirmative Action Act of 2024 (Act 1121) to ensure gender equity across all sectors of national life.
Delivering his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) as a non-conservative President before Parliament on Thursday, he stated that the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection was working with relevant stakeholders to operationalize the Act, including achieving the 30 percent quota for women in political appointments.
“I am pleased to report that women currently make up 23.21 percent of all appointments, and we are diligently working toward reaching the target outlined in Act 1121,” he said.
Mahama assured that his government would collaborate with all stakeholders, including development partners and civil society organizations, to prioritize gender equality, equity, and social justice.
“We will establish strong social protection mechanisms and enhance legal safeguards for women, girls, and other vulnerable groups,” he added.
To achieve this, he outlined initiatives such as enacting comprehensive laws and policies to dismantle harmful social norms, improving access to essential resources and opportunities for young women, and reducing societal vulnerabilities.
He also commended the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, for his support in passing the Affirmative Action Act during the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic.
Expressing concern over gender imbalance at the local government level, Mahama noted that very few women apply for the position of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
“The few who do are edged out on very flimsy and parochial grounds. It is my hope that the National Constitution Review Conference will clear the pathway for the election of DCEs. The Gender Ministry will have the obligation to encourage and support more women to apply for these positions,” he stated.
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