Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey (seated 3rd from right), Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, with members of the Ministerial Advisory Board, Gender Equity Committee and participants after the retreat

Gender ministry engages stakeholders on AA Act

Daily Graphic Jul - 21 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSO) has held a two-day strategic retreat aimed at facilitating the effective implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121).

The retreat was aimed at enhancing participants’ understanding of the key provisions of the Act.

It was also to foster dialogue on stakeholder roles as well as to develop a strategic implementation framework, outlining actionable strategies, timelines and coordination mechanisms for a nationwide rollout of the Act.

It brought together members of the Ministry’s Advisory Board, Parliamentarians, members of the newly constituted Gender Equity Committee, representatives from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Development Partners including UNDP Ghana, UN Women, UNICEF Ghana, and the World Food Programme, as well as civil society organisations, academia and other key stakeholders.

Historic

The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, in an address to open the retreat, said the passage of the Act in July 2024 marked a historic turning point in the country’s pursuit of gender equity, inclusive governance and sustainable national development.

She called for collective action in the implementation process, stating that success would depend on the coordinated efforts of government, development partners, civil society, academia, the media and local communities.

She noted that the Act aimed to progressively increase women’s representation in decision-making spaces across both public and private sectors targeting at least 30 per cent by 2026 and 50 per cent by 2034.

She said the ministry had initiated steps to draft the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) for the full operationalisation of the Act, and had already distributed copies of the law to MDAs, Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), security services and other stakeholders.

She added that infographics and awareness materials had also been developed to support advocacy and training activities across various sectors.

Gender Equity Committee

The minister congratulated and welcomed the newly appointed members of the Gender Equity Committee, who are mandated to, among others, ensure and monitor compliance with the Act, develop a national plan of action to monitor reports and address matters relating to the implementation of the Act, and liaise with ministries, departments and agencies and private institutions to promote affirmative action on gender and gender equality in the country.

The committee is also to facilitate, promote and coordinate public education programmes for the creation of a culture of respect for gender equity, and advise the minister on policy matters and other matters relevant to the implementation of the act.

She expressed confidence in their professional expertise to drive the implementation of the Act.

The minister used the occasion to also swear in members of the Ministerial Advisory Board to facilitate regular engagement between the ministry and stakeholders and advise on adjustments in policy direction and strategic planning.