By Rebecca Ekpe
Barring any last-minute hitches, President Akufo-Addo is expected to assent the much-awaited Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Bill 2024 into Law, before the last quarter of the year.
Parliament on Tuesday, 30th July 2024, passed the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Bill, 2024, into law, which aims to provide equal opportunities for all Genders.
Gender Advocate and Lead for the Coalition for the Affirmative Action Bill, Madam Sheila Minka Premo, disclosed in an exclusive interview with Rebecca Ekpe that some work was being done on the Bill, but signing the Bill should not pose a challenge, she said because ‘’the Bill was generated by the Executive arm of government’’.
She said although the numbers in terms of percentages of achieving gender parity may seem high and over ambitious to achieve, the Bill is work in progress and ‘’so, let’s say the Bill is fine’’, Madam Minka Premo stated.
According to Madam Minka Premo, ‘’One of the key things is for the Ministry to set up a Committee to ensure implementation of the Bill.’’
Article 35 of the 1992 Constitution requires that the Government promote the integration of the people of Ghana and prohibit discrimination and prejudice on the grounds of place of origin, circumstances of birth, ethnic origin, gender, or religion, creed, or other beliefs.
The Affirmative Action Bill is seen as a move towards appropriate measures to achieve gender balance, as previous interventions have not adequately achieved the gender equality envisaged in the Constitution.
Furthermore, Ghana is a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which require that governments demonstrate commitment towards achieving these goals, particularly SDG Goal 5, which states that “gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls” should be achieved by 2030.
