In a major step towards promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, Ghana has passed the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Bill 2024 into law on July 30. This historic legislation aims to address past injustices and inequalities faced by marginalized groups, including women, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented communities.
After several years in and out of Parliament, the bill was finally passed unanimously by the House. It is expected to ensure that a significant number of women hold key positions in governance, public life, and decision-making spaces, thereby improving the lives of women across the country.
The law also seeks to address socio-cultural, political, economic, and educational gender imbalances in both private and public sectors, as stipulated by Clause 4 of Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution. Its objective is to promote the progressive increase and active participation of women in public life, aiming for a minimum of 30 percent representation by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The passing of the law heralds a new era of inclusivity and equity in Ghana’s corporate environment. It will enhance access to education and employment opportunities for marginalized groups, increase diversity and representation in leadership roles, improve the reputation and competitiveness of companies that support diversity and inclusion, and mandate the execution of affirmative action plans by businesses.
| Gender Minister Darkoa Newman moved the motion for the passage and the vote in the House. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin explained that there is still more that needs to be done to ensure true equity among the genders. “Don’t just celebrate and don’t really put in place the vision that we have created for the country. But more importantly, I hope that members will commit themselves to the constitutional reforms. We need to do more there to be able to create this free and just society we are looking for to liberate more of our women to be able to support us to be able to develop mother Ghana,” he said.
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