The Affirmative Action Bill Coalition has expressed its unwavering commitment to the effective implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024.

While the coalition is excited about the passage and subsequent signing of the bill by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, it believes that this is just the beginning of a journey aimed at achieving gender equality.

Speaking at a press conference to mark the fruition of the act, Joana Adzoa Opare, who was the chairperson of the program, paid special tribute to all persons and organizations who played diverse roles in the passage of the bill.

She believes that the fruition of the bill is a reward for the selfless work done by all the stakeholders over the years and urged them to view the moment as a significant milestone in their lives as well as the country.

She, however, emphasized the importance of political equality to the advancement of the cause of Ghanaian women, noting that having more women in leadership positions in the country will facilitate actions towards the equal treatment of women.

Patricia Akakpo Blankson of the Network for Women’s Rights (NETRIGHT) stated that the effective implementation of the act requires the support of the government and other stakeholders and appealed to the government to provide adequate support to the coalition to ensure that the full benefits of the act are derived.

The Convener for the Coalition, Sheila Minkah-Premo, appealed to the government through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to show political commitment to the effective implementation of the act.

She admonished the government and relevant agencies to initiate policies that will result in the implementation of the act.

"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."

Sheila Minkah-Premo, a lawyer and member of the coalition, who gave a detailed presentation on the Act, urged the various arms of government to play their roles in the implementation of 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.

"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 also appealed to the media to make their platforms available for awareness creation about the Act and act as agents of the Affirmative Action Act.

EK