Honour 30% women representation promise - WILDAF tells gov't

Women activist group; WILDAF-Ghana has said that government has failed to honor its promise of appointing 30% of women in public offices as indicated in its 2016 manifesto.

According to members of the group, the list of 9 women out of 36 ministerial appointees presented by the President to Parliament does not reflect the 30% as promised in their 2016 manifesto.

Speaking at a press briefing Friday January 17, Board Member of Women in Law and Development in Africa, Ghana, Magdalene Kannae indicated that as per Article 35 section 6b of the constitution, the state is to achieve gender equality by ensuring reasonable regional and gender balance and appointments to public offices, a requirement that has been breached considering the current number of women designated for ministerial positions.

President Akufo-Addo this week, publicly announced names of 36 ministers-designate to occupy various ministerial cabinets under his leadership. Out of the 36, 9 women were appointed, representing 25% of the total number of appointees, contrary to the 30% minimum threshold of women in governance stated in page 129 of the party’s 2016 manifesto.

The Pan African non-governmental women organization is therefore calling on the NPP government to review its selections and fulfil its social development agenda provision under the 2016 manifesto of having at least 30% of women in public offices.

They have also presented a petition before Parliament and to the President for consideration on the issue.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Kannae also expressed joy over the current number of women in Parliament but urged government to push for the passage of the Affirmative action (gender equality bill) which makes provision for 40% of women representation in public offices.