ActionAid Ghana is urging President Akufo-Addo to assent to the Affirmative Action Bill expeditiously to ensure the full realization of the bill in remedying long-standing power imbalances and discrimination against women and girls in the country.

The call follows the passage of the bill by Parliament on July 30, 2024, after over two decades of parliamentary deliberations. Social justice movements like ActionAid Ghana have been at the forefront, campaigning for a swift passage of the bill and consistently mounting pressure on the government and Parliament.

The bill mandates the government to establish progressive targets for achieving gender equity in governance and decision-making, especially in public offices.

Reacting to the passage of the bill, ActionAid Ghana applauded the Parliament of Ghana for taking steps to pass the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill 2024, noting that with the passage of this important legislation, women and girls will be empowered in every aspect of society, and gender equality and equity will be achieved.

As a social justice organization, ActionAid Ghana believes the recently passed bill provides an opportunity to address systemic discrimination and power disparities that have long plagued women and girls in society.

John Nkaw, Country Director of ActionAid Ghana, says, “AAG has been advocating for a national framework to address gender inequality in our country since 1998, and this timely legislation will go a long way toward eradicating age-long gender inequality and addressing power imbalances stemming from historical discrimination and persistent patriarchal socio-cultural systems and norms.

It also means that citizens and CSOs, while celebrating this achievement, have a responsibility to study the content of the bill and determine how we can monitor its effective implementation and practice.”

A statement issued by ActionAid Ghana also noted, “Despite the overwhelming appreciation for the passage of the bill, we believe that its true impact hinges on the swift and comprehensive implementation of the provisions.

ActionAid Ghana urges the President to assent to the bill expeditiously to ensure that the provisions of the law are translated into concrete actions that can dismantle the systemic barriers impeding women’s progress.

The time for action is now, and the President’s immediate approval is crucial in this process. We cannot afford to delay in our pursuit of gender equality.”

Under these extraordinary circumstances, ActionAid Ghana respectfully calls on the government, civil society, private sector, and all Ghanaians to support the full implementation of the Affirmative Action Bill. This includes:

Government: While thanking Parliament for the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill, we kindly encourage the President to assent to the bill to make it law as quickly as possible.

Additionally, we call on the government to follow up with bold steps to commence the process of resourcing and establishing mechanisms for assessing and promoting the effective implementation of the Affirmative Action Law.

Civil Society

All CSOs, youth movements, and Ghanaian citizens need to study the law to enhance our understanding, promote advocacy and awareness campaigns to ensure that women, men, girls, youth, and opinion leaders are informed about their rights under the new law and how they can support and monitor the implementation process.

Understanding the context and implications of the law is imperative for determining how we can call for voluntary compliance and explore the next policy demands and reforms that may be required for the effective implementation of the law.

Private Sector

Assure and encourage members and peers to adhere to, adopt, and promote gender-inclusive policies around the Affirmative Action Law (especially after it has been assented to) and practices within their businesses/organizations.

Communities

Ghanaian communities need to further advocate and take actions to promote initiatives that challenge and change harmful cultural norms and practices perpetuating gender inequality, support affirmative action, and contribute effectively towards the unhindered implementation of the law.