Ghana's Affirmative Action Law: A step towards gender equality

Yesterday, the global community marked Women's Equality Day, celebrated on August 26 each year.

In Africa, Ghana’s significant stride towards achieving gender parity with the passage of the Affirmative Action and Gender Equity Bill, 2024, became a focus for discussion.

This landmark legislation aims to ensure the deliberate inclusion and participation of women in public service and other sectors, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The bill's unanimous passage in July 2024, after overcoming numerous challenges and amendments since its introduction in 1998, demonstrates Ghana's commitment to gender equality.

The convener of Alliance for Women in Media Africa, Shamima Muslim, aptly describes it as an "impressive first step".

Indeed, gender activists and civil society organisations have worked tirelessly to push for this legislation until their efforts finally paid off. This achievement demonstrates that collective action can lead to meaningful change, and inspires continued advocacy for gender equality.

To achieve this ambitious 50-50 gender equality target by 2030, there must be a multifaceted approach to guide future national leaders to ensure gender balance in appointments to positions of power.

 It should encourage political parties to progressively work towards gender equality while private companies would submit gender equality policies for review. Security services and agencies must also adopt a non-discriminatory stance towards women.

Ghana's commitment to gender equality has the potential to trickle down to other areas of society. By increasing women's representation in public service and other sectors, we can expect to see more diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to national challenges. This, in turn, can lead to more inclusive and effective governance, benefiting all Ghanaians.

Ghana's efforts are crucial, given the stark reality of gender representation in African parliaments, where women hold an average of 24 per cent of seats, although a mere seven per cent occupy top executive roles. By addressing these disparities, Ghana sets a precedent for the continent.

The successful implementation of this bill requires collective effort and commitment from all stakeholders. As we celebrate this milestone, we must acknowledge the journey ahead and work tirelessly to ensure Ghana achieves its gender equality ambitions.

The Daily Graphic commends the government and gender activists for their dedication to this cause and encourages sustained momentum towards a more inclusive and equitable society.

The implementation of the Affirmative Action Law would require a cultural shift in attitudes towards gender roles and stereotypes. It is essential to educate and sensitise the public, particularly in male-dominated fields, to recognise and challenge biases that hinder women's progress.

By doing so, we can create an environment that supports and empowers women to reach their full potential. As Ghana moves forward with the implementation of the Affirmative Action Law, it is crucial to establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

This will ensure that the legislation's provisions are effectively enforced and that progress towards gender equality is tracked and reported. Regular assessments will also help to identify areas for improvement, allowing for timely interventions and adjustments to achieve the desired outcomes.

We acknowledge the National Democratic Congress's selection of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as running mate to former President John Mahama as a significant milestone in our journey towards gender equality.

With women having broken the glass ceiling in different areas recently, including manning the Chief Justice portfolio, Attorney-General’s seat, Chair of the Electoral Commission and the National Commission for Civic Education, and various top positions, the vice-presidential candidacy is the new high reached.

By choosing a qualified and experienced woman, the political party has sent a strong message about the importance of inclusiveness and representation in leadership.

This aligns with the spirit of the Affirmative Action Law, which aims to increase women's participation in public service.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang's selection says a lot about the law’s potential impact, showcasing the talent and expertise that women bring to the table.

It must, however, not be a token symbolism that pretends to satisfy an important measurement of development. It must be a conscious attempt to carry other women along to achieve a gender balance in accessing opportunities across the various facets of human endeavour.