Govt urged to implement Affirmative Action law effectively

The government has been urged to ensure the effective implementation of the newly passed Affirmative Action Law (AAL) to promote gender eq­uity at all levels, the Steering Com­mittee Member of the AAL, Mrs Joana Adzoa Opare, has stated.

She has therefore called on Civil Society Organisations, and women groups to ensure they hold government accountable to implement the law.

“As duty bearers we should hold government accountable in ensuring that there was equality and equity to help in decision making process of the country,” she said.

Mrs Opare made this call at a meeting in marking the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gen­der Equity) Act, 2024 in Accra yesterday.

The programme brought together women group organisa­tions, civil society organisations and women activists.

Mrs Opare said with the law, there is legal backing to ensure the equal rights and the protection of rights.

She commended Parliament, Minister for Gender Children and Social Protection, Darkoa New­man and past ministers of the ministry, women group organisa­tions, for their zeal in ensuring the passage of the law.

Mrs Opare urged women group organisations to intensify partner­ships to champion the cause of the less privileged in the country.

The convenor for the AA Bill Coalition, Mrs Sheila Minkah-Premo, in presentation on the topic “Impact of Affir­mative Action (Gender Equity) Act 2024 on addressing social inequalities in Ghana” said the AAL would effectively redress so­cial,cultural,economic and gender imbalance in the country.

She said with the increased number of women decision –making “We can now expect that gender responsive policies and laws will be formulated”

Mrs Minkah-Premocalled on the legislature to perform its over­sight role and ensure the imple­mentation of the Act.

She appealed to the Judiciary to enforce and interpret the law and ensure effective implemen­tation.

“We call on all private sector organisations to comply with their obligation in the AA Act and institute a mandatory Gender Equity Policies to guide them, “She added.

The Convenor for the Women Manifesto Coalition, Mrs Hamida Harrison stated that the law would promote social justice for both men and women.

She stressed the need to ensure commitment to ensure full implementation.

Mrs Harrison said nomina­tion of women should reflect on the passage of the law in the country.

The Coordinator of AA BillCoalition, Ms Becky En­yonam Ahadzi stated that the law marks a significant step toward advancing the inte­gration of women who were marginalized in national develop­ment.

She said called on the media to partner the Coalition in its advo­cacy on the law and it implemen­tation.

 BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI

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