The Need for The Passage Of The Affirmative Action Bill In Ghana

Ghana was one of the first countries in Africa to legislate an Affirmative Action Act in the early 60s which facilitated the entry of women members to the 114-member legislature to represent the regions of the country.

Since then, the nation has made various commitments by signing global declarations and protocols that call for increased women’s participation and representation in public life yet Ghana has failed to meet the minimum United Nations recommended threshold of 30 percent women representation.

For the past thirteen (13) years, citizens have embarked on the process for the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill but has still not been passed despite tremendous efforts played by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

Research has shown that there is a gender imbalance in several spheres of life in Ghana and this position allows Affirmative Action to right the wrong of gender discrimination.

Also, existing policies on Affirmative Action have not had the expected impact, and discrimination continues particularly in public life.

Affirmative Action is a temporary measure to ensure women’s effective inclusion in development and decision-making processes in Ghana.

The concept of affirmative action is to increase the active participation of women in public life from a minimum of 30% to a parity of 50% by 2030 in line with the requirements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As a country, it is important to have a development that is inclusive and a process that involves both women and men so that all can benefit from public resources.

Inclusive development involves active citizenship by tackling participation but looking at the gap in public boards, parliament, and district assemblies, is very disheartening because

women are not adequately represented and until efforts are put in place to bridge the gap, there would not be equal development.

Ghana has a resource pool of dedicated and intelligent women who can work effectively to make this country a better place.

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Affirmative Action law in Ghana will promote equality in participation and representation in decision-making processes which will enable women to protect and promote their rights.

With gender equality in participation and representation, women will bring on board alternative development such as focus on child care and health issues as well as improve delivery of social services in remote areas.

Ghanaian women have demonstrated active citizenship and dynamism in different spaces over the years and it is no doubt that when given the opportunity, they will perform tremendously.