The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has expressed disappointment over the perceived lack of gender balance in President John Dramani Mahama’s ministerial appointments.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, January 21, Mr Afenyo-Markin accused the President of failing to uphold his campaign promise to ensure at least 30% of government appointments go to women, as mandated by the Affirmative Action Law.
The gender debate emerged when the Speaker of Parliament read the President’s latest list of ministerial nominees, which reportedly did not include any women.
This omission, according to Afenyo-Markin, is a stark deviation from the President’s commitment to champion gender equality in leadership.
“It appears President John Mahama is not willing to stick to his own promise made to Ghanaians prior to the 2024 elections that nearly 30% of all appointments would go to women in his government,” Mr Afenyo-Markin lamented.
He further criticised the President for not matching the record of former President Nana Akufo-Addo, whom he described as a true gender champion.
“There are over 30 women elected to Parliament from the NDC majority side. Of all these hardworking women, only a handful have been given substantive ministerial appointments.
“Is it the case that they are being matched for deputy ministerial roles? That is not right. Our women cannot be second-class appointees,” he asserted.
The Effutu MP called on the President to demonstrate genuine belief in the competence and capability of women, arguing that inclusive representation is critical for addressing systemic gender inequality.