The Affirmative Action Bill Coalition has called on the government to provide the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGSCP) with adequate resources to implement the newly passed Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024.
The convener for the Coalition, Sheila Minkah-Premo, who made the call at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, stated that there was a need for stronger political commitment and comprehensive support for the implementing Ministry.
“We call on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, which is the implementing Ministry, to show more political will towards implementing the Act. It should be provided with the necessary financial, technical and human resources to ensure the full implementation of the AA Act.”
She also urged the government to develop and introduce new policies and programmes to support the objectives of the Act.
Madam Minkah-Premo outlined specific roles for various sectors of society in implementing the Act.
“We call on the Legislature to perform its oversight role and ensure the implementation of this Act. We also call on the Legislature to implement the obligations and strategies assigned to it in the sixth schedule of the AA Act,” she said.
She implored the judiciary to enforce and interpret the law accordingly and ensure it is implemented effectively.
“We also call on the Judiciary to implement the obligations and strategies assigned to it in the fourth schedule of the AA Act,” she added.
The coalition implored the private sector to comply with their obligations in the AA Act and institute mandatory gender equity policies to guide them.
Media and civil society organisations were urged to join in advocacy efforts to sensitise the public on the AA Act and push for its implementation by duty bearers. Citizens were not left out of the call to action.
“We call on citizens to support our advocacy for the implementation of the AA Act. All and sundry, especially our friends and colleagues from the media, to also avail their resources and platforms to sensitise the public and hold our duty bearers accountable regarding their obligations under the AA Act,” Minkah-Premo said.
Explaining the need for these collective efforts, she noted that it would help give the AA Act the much-needed conducive environment for growth and effective implementation. Minkah-Premo expressed optimism about the Act’s potential impact.
The convener of the Women’s Manifesto Coalition, Madam Hamida Harrison, described the passage of the act as a “huge sigh of relief,” commending the efforts of those who had worked towards this goal.
She noted that while Ghana is joining other African nations like Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya in adopting affirmative action laws, the law marks a new beginning for promoting social justice for both women and men.
The Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (AA Act), was passed into an Act by Parliament on 30th July 2024 and assented to by His Excellency President Akufo-Addo on 18th September 2024.