Gender Ministry salutes new EC Boss

Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection at the weekend commended the appointment of Mrs Charlotte Ama Osei, as the new Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).

She said the appointment is a demonstration of government’s commitment to promote gender equality.

In an interview with Ghana News Agency in Accra, Nana Lithur described the appointment as “great moral booster for the Ghana Women Agenda 2030, which seeks to address gender equality, equity and empowerment of women for national development”.

“We have to ensure that the commitment of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to gender equality and women’s empowerment is taken forward in the post-2015 development agenda.

“Ghana has signed and ratified international and regional treatises and frameworks aimed at increasing the role of women in national development,” she noted.

Nana Lithur said the appointment of seasoned lawyer and civic educator to the high office of the Chairperson of the EC conforms to the appropriate government machinery to accelerate the integration of women in development and elimination of discrimination against women on grounds of sex.

Ghana Women Agenda 2030 proponents within the framework of United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59) recently set a vigorous target to get a Female President and/ or Vice President by 2030.

The agenda seeks to get 60 per cent of portfolios as ministers especially Finance, Energy, Education and Health; 50 per cent of Vice Chancellors and University Professors; and 60 percent of State Corporation of Chief Executives Officers.

The Ghana Women Agenda 2030 also seeks 60 per cent of Ghana Club 100 Chief Executive Officer and Bank posts; 60 per cent of Parliamentarians, District Chief Executive slots.

The Ghana Women Agenda 2030 also seeks for 70 per cent of heads and owners of media institutions; President of the National House of Chiefs to be a queen mother.