SEND Ghana Urges Akufo-Addo To Hasten The Signing Of The Affirmative Action Bill Into Law.

SEND Ghana has welcomed the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill by Ghana’s Parliament on July 31, 2024.

They congratulate all women’s groups and other civil society activists on their unwavering commitment and persistent advocacy in making this happen.

They further praise Parliament for taking the bold step of passing the bill into law after decades of deliberation and scrutiny.

“This is progressive and marks a significant milestone towards achieving gender equity and empowering women across all sectors of our society”, they stated

The Civil Society Organisation (CSO), SEND Ghana additionally called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to expedite and sign the Affirmative Action bill into law.

The advocacy group made the call in a press release signed by Country Director, Mr. Siapha Kamara.

 

Read the full statement below 

 PASSAGE OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION BILL: A BOOST FOR GENDER EQUITY IN GHANA

SEND Ghana is happy to learn about the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill by the Parliament of Ghana on July 31^st, 2024.

We congratulate all the women groups and other civil society activists for their unwavering dedication and persistent advocacy in making this happen.

In addition, we also wish to take this opportunity to commend Parliament for taking this bold step to pass the Bill into law after several decades of parliamentary deliberations and scrutiny. This is progressive and marks a significant milestone towards achieving gender equity and empowering women across all sectors of our society.

Admittedly, the journey toward the passage of this bill has been long and arduous. The process began in 1998 and has undergone extensive deliberation and consultation, reflecting the diverse voices and perspectives of Ghanaians, especially women’s groups and civil society organizations, who have been at the forefront of this movement, advocating for change.

The passage of this bill is necessary if we want to see women take up important positions and participate in Leadership roles at all levels of governance.  Historically, the low participation of women in decision-making roles and many important spheres of Ghanaian society has been a longstanding issue. Women makeup about 50.7% of Ghana’s population yet are often not equitably represented at the decision-making table and in other important areas of national life. Despite their vital contributions to society, systemic barriers and cultural norms have hindered their full involvement.

While less than 15% of Ghana’s 275-member parliament are women, below the 30% UN target, the Affirmative Action Bill mandates equal representation and aims for at least 30% female participation in decision-making processes towards achieving the UN set targets. This provision seeks to address gender imbalances and promotes inclusive governance. Once signed by the President, the bill will tackle these systemic barriers, enhancing women’s participation in all spheres.

We therefore call on the President of Ghana, His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to hasten the passage of this bill into law.

By doing so, you will not only fulfil the aspirations of countless Ghanaians who have long advocated for gender equity but also set a powerful example of leadership and commitment to justice.

We urge you to act swiftly and decisively to make this transformative legislation a reality, thus reinforcing Ghana’s dedication to equality and inclusive progress for all its citizens

 

 

 

 

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