Ghana to have affirmative law in 2013 – Minister
An Affirmative Action bill is being prepared by the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to give legislative backing to gender issues.
The bill is expected to address the gender gap and discrimination in the socio-economic and political arena.
The Ministry has therefore set up a committee of experts on a consultative mission to the regions to collect the views of individuals and organisations that would lead to the formulation of the bill to conform to the national consensus on Affirmative Action.
Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister who addressed a consultative meeting on the Affirmative Action Bill in Tamale on Tuesday expressed the hope that the country will have Affirmative Action Law by 2013.
He said legislating Affirmative Action is the best way to ensure parity of representation and participation in politics and decision making and give economic and social advantages to women as indicated by the African Union.
Mr Mabengba whose speech was read on his behalf said the NDC in 1988 came out boldly to adopt an Affirmative Action policy based on research, to give women high level decision making positions to enable them contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation.
He stressed that the proposed legislation is seeking to strengthen women’s roles in education, employment, agriculture and health that would also make implementation of policies effective and accountable.
The Minister assured Ghanaians not to be disappointed with the recent poor performance of women in both the Parliamentary and District Assembly Elections and strive to reverse the trend in Election 2012.
Mr Mabengba said the Government is committed to introduce major policy and legislative reforms aimed at a minimum of 405 representation of women at all levels of Governance.
Mr Zakari-Saa Patrick Seidu, Regional Director of the Department of Women said government had put in place an Affirmative Action policy guideline that called for at least 40 per cent representation of women at the public service, committees and boards.
He said over the years, not much had been done to pursue the policy and government had not been held accountable to that commitment.
Mr Seidu said in spite of the many efforts made over the years, cultural stumbling blocks continue to play a major role in thwarting efforts to lift women from the background which he noted does not auger well for the country’s democracy and national development.
Source: GNA