Deputy Minority Leader calls for more women on committees

The Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei, has advocated that more women MPs be appointed to the various committees of the Ninth Parliament which has begun work.

She said it was important for the House to also acknowledge the efforts of the women MPs and give more support for gender equality by having more women appointed to serve on the
various committees.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Ms Appiagyei said having more women on the various committees would help the Legislature lead the charge in promoting inclusivity and
gender equality.

She was reacting to her appointment as the Deputy Ranking Member on the Appointments Committee as announced by the Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, last Wednesday.

The Ninth Parliament has 41 women MPs, one more than the 40 that the Eighth Parliament had.

Of the 41,the NDC has 35 while the NPP has six.

“It is my hope and I look forward to seeing more women MPs being appointed to serve on the various committees of the House.

“Unfortunately, there are not many of us from the minority side, but the NDC has more women and it will be good to have significant numbers.

That way, we lead the charge and give real meaning to the Affirmative Bill the Eighth Parliament passed.

“The passage of Affirmative Action Bill into law which promotes, among other things, “equity” is intended to address the disparity between men and women in public and private sectors
and that includes our august House so we will have to do better,” she said.

Longest-serving female MP

Ms Appiagyei is the longest-serving female Member of Parliament in the Ninth Parliament.

She first became a Legislator during the fifth Parliament and has subsequently served in the sixth, seventh and eighth Parliaments.

Appointments Committee

Last Wednesday, Parliament approved the composition of its Appointments Committee, which is tasked with vetting and recommending nominees for ministerial and other key appointments.

The committee is chaired by the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, with Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah
serving as Vice Chairperson.

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, is the Ranking Member, while Ms Appiagyei serves as the Deputy Ranking Member.

The Appointments Committee is responsible for vetting, scrutinising and recommending to Parliament the approval or otherwise, of persons nominated by the President for appointment as ministers of state, their deputies and other positions specified under the Constitution or relevant legislation.

Also named are the Business Committee and the Committee of Selection