Championing John & Jane ticket for 2024: Crucial leap towards gender equality

During a media engagement with former President John Mahama on July 7, 2024, I asked him about his commitment to the Affirmative Action Bill. His response was clear: “I am committed to the Affirmative Action Bill”. 

The last time I met the Speaker, I urged him to ensure it was passed in his term as Speaker. The women of Ghana will be very grateful to him if he is able to pass the bill before the life of this Parliament ends…”

In that moment, I knew I had found my winning candidate. For me, and many gender advocates, who have been working on the Affirmative Action Bill for over a decade, it was defining to hear John Dramani Mahama emphatically show himself as an ally of the movement.

He has put action to that commitment by choosing a woman as his running mate. This decision sends a strong message that regardless of social and political biases, he is willing to break the mould and showcase women.

While Ghana has seen female running mates and even flag bearers before, none have emerged from a major political party at this point in our development path.

This decision by John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) signifies a deeper commitment to equality and inclusivity, resonating with both international agreements and national aspirations for gender parity.

Ghana, a signatory to numerous protocols advocating gender equality, still struggles with the underrepresentation of women in governance. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang’s candidacy serves as a catalyst for change, emphasising the necessity for meaningful participation of women in politics. 

Her presence on the ticket sends a powerful message to young women across the nation: no ambition is too high, and no dream is too grand. Advocates for women’s rights across political lines must unite to push for gender equality in politics by supporting NDC policies that will accelerate equality.

Affirmative Action Policy

Ghana is a highly patriarchal society; where, historically, Ghanaian women have experienced a form of coverture, with their legal identities subsumed under those of their fathers or husbands.

 Additionally, women often shoulder the 'double day,' managing paid employment alongside the full responsibility of household chores and childcare.

 This situation not only impacts their emotional well-being but also deprives them of time for leisure and for developing their imaginative and cognitive skills, which are vital for realising their full potential.

These factors contribute to a fundamentally unequal environment, restricting women's capabilities relative to men. When women attempt to enter public life or political office, they encounter numerous challenges, including intimidation, entrenched stereotypes, discrimination and sexual harassment.

These obstacles are often exacerbated by a lack of effective avenues for addressing victimisation. To achieve gender equity and level the playing field, it is crucial to implement comprehensive policies such as Affirmative Action.

Besides the Affirmative Action Bill, which was passed into law last Tuesday and is awaiting Presidential assent, the NDC has proposed the establishment of a Women's Bank as part of its broader strategy to promote gender equality and women's economic empowerment.

 The Women's Bank aims to provide women, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, with access to financial services, which are often limited for women due to various socio-economic barriers.

It will support women-owned businesses by offering tailored financial products such as loans, grants, and savings accounts, helping them start, sustain and grow their enterprises.

Additionally, it will build the financial literacy and business management skills of women to enhance their ability to effectively utilise financial resources. According to the Gender Development Index (GDI), gender inequality is strongly correlated with poverty.

By creating a dedicated financial institution to support female entrepreneurs, the Women's Bank will help break the cycle of poverty.

National commitment

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has taken a strong stance on gender equality by threatening to reduce member countries to observer status if they fail to achieve at least 40 per cent female representation in Parliament by 2030.

 This initiative aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal Five (SDG 5), which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030.

It may seem like tardy progress that it would take 64 years to achieve another notable milestone in Ghana's politics; nevertheless, Jane's potential ascension to vice-president would be a historic event akin to Susanna Al-Hassan's remarkable achievement.

Susanna Al-Hassan made history in 1961 when Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah appointed her as Ghana's first female minister and the first African woman to hold a cabinet portfolio.

 Her appointment paved the way for future generations of women in leadership. With the promise of deliberate policy reforms, Jane's vice-presidency will advance this legacy at a swifter pace for impactful change.

Way forward

Let us unite in the push for gender parity and sustainable inclusion. By supporting the brilliant policies of the NDC and John Dramani Mahama, women’s voices must be heard, and their leadership recognised. It is time to take action and ensure that women’s contributions are valued and their rights upheld.

As we move forward, let us embrace gender parity and representation, working together to build a better future for all Ghanaians.

John Mahama’s vision for gender parity in Ghanaian politics is a clarion call for a transformative shift in societal norms and political practices. By prioritising gender parity, Ghana can pave the way for a more equitable, just, and inclusive future.

The writer is a journalist, entrepreneur and gender activist