John Dramani Mahama and Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang
During a media engagement with former President John Mahama on July 7, 2024, I asked a pertinent question: "I have heard you outline certain intentions towards gender equality.
However, I have not heard about the Affirmative Action Bill, which I believe is a critical accelerator towards achieving gender equality. Do you have any specific, targeted commitments towards advancing the Affirmative Action Bill?"
His response was succinct, clear, and compelling. “I am committed to the Affirmative Action Bill. The last time I met the speaker, I urged him to ensure it is passed in his term as speaker.
The women of Ghana will be very grateful to him if he is able to pass the bill before the life of this parliament ends. I think the time has come for us to have an Affirmative Action Bill.”
As an advocate for affirmative action, I knew in that moment I had found my winning candidate. For me and many gender advocates who have been working on the Affirmative Action Bill for over a decade, it is defining to hear John Dramani Mahama be emphatic and show himself as an ally of the movement.
How do we know he isn’t paying lip service for the vote? It’s simple: he chose a woman as his running mate. This decision sends a strong message that, regardless of pushback, public sentiment, and political biases, he is willing to break the mould and showcase women. This underscores his commitment to gender parity and his recognition of the importance of women’s contributions to national development.
While Ghana has seen female running mates and even flagbearers before, none have emerged from a major political party at this point in our development path. This decision by John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) signifies a deeper commitment to equality and inclusivity, resonating with both international agreements and national aspirations for gender parity.
Ghana, a signatory to numerous protocols advocating gender equality, still struggles with the underrepresentation of women in governance. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s candidacy serves as a catalyst for change, emphasizing the necessity for meaningful participation of women in politics.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s inclusion is a significant milestone that should inspire further action toward comprehensive gender equality. Her presence on the ticket sends a powerful message to young women across the nation: no ambition is too high, and no dream is too grand.
Advocates for women’s rights across political lines must unite to push for sustained progress toward gender equality in politics by supporting NDC policies that will accelerate equality. The battle for inclusion is ongoing and demands our collective action and unwavering commitment.
Through affirmative action, the National Democratic Congress has strong plans to ensure a minimum of 30% representation of women in all public decision-making bodies and increase women’s participation in politics by providing support for female candidates, including financial and logistical assistance during elections.
Choosing John Dramani Mahama as the next president of Ghana is crucial for advancing gender equality and ensuring inclusive governance. Mahama’s demonstrated commitment to equality, particularly highlighted by his selection of a female running mate, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, showcases his dedication to fostering a fair and just society.
Here are several compelling reasons why electing Mahama is essential for Ghana’s progress.
The Need for Deliberate Affirmative Action Policy
Ghana is a highly patriarchal society where, historically, Ghanaian women have experienced a form of coverture, with their legal identities subsumed under those of their fathers or husbands.
They have been denied the same property rights, freedom of association, mobility, and liberty as men. Additionally, women often shoulder the double day and managing paid employment alongside the full responsibility of household chores and childcare.
This situation not only impacts their emotional well-being but also deprives them of time for leisure and for developing their imaginative and cognitive skills, which are vital for realizing their full potential.
These factors contribute to a fundamentally unequal social and political environment, significantly restricting women’s capabilities relative to men. When women attempt to enter public life through formal education, employment, or political office, they encounter numerous challenges, including intimidation, entrenched stereotypes, sex discrimination, and sexual harassment.
These obstacles are often exacerbated by a lack of effective legal redress or avenues for addressing victimization. To achieve gender equity and enhance women’s capabilities, it is crucial to address these systemic issues and implement comprehensive policies.
Such measures would help level the playing field and ensure that women's participation in political life is on par with that of their male counterparts.
Besides the Affirmative Action Bill, the NDC has proposed the establishment of a Women’s Bank as part of its broader strategy to promote gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. The Women’s Bank aims to provide women, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, with access to financial services, which are often limited for women due to various socio-economic barriers.
It will support women-owned businesses by offering tailored financial products such as loans, grants, and savings accounts, helping them start, sustain, and grow their enterprises. Additionally, it will build the financial literacy and business management skills of women to enhance their ability to effectively utilize financial resources.
According to the Gender Development Index (GDI), gender inequality is strongly correlated with poverty. By creating a dedicated financial institution to support female entrepreneurs or women-led businesses, the Women’s Bank will help break the cycle of poverty.
Achieving gender parity has far-reaching implications for human rights, social justice, economic growth and development, democratic governance, educational and health outcomes, breaking stereotypes, and empowering future generations. It is vital to tackle the barriers created by cultural and social norms, institutional structures, and economic inequalities that promote gender disparities.
International Pressure and National Commitment
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has taken a strong stance on gender equality by threatening to reduce member countries to observer status if they fail to achieve at least 40% female representation in parliament by 2030. This action aims to encourage parliaments to take concrete steps toward gender equality.
In 2019, the IPU adopted a resolution calling for “gender-sensitive parliaments”; with a target of 40% women by 2030.
Countries not meeting this target may be demoted to observer status. This initiative aligns with the United Nations’s Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030.
It may seem like tardy progress that it would take 64 years to achieve another notable milestone in Ghana nevertheless, Jane’s potential ascension to Vice President would be a historic event akin to Susanna Al-Hassan’s remarkable achievement. Susanna Al-Hassan made history in 1961 when Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah appointed her as Ghana’s first female minister and the first African woman to hold a cabinet portfolio.
Al-Hassan’s pioneering role paved the way for future generations of women in leadership, and Jane’s vice presidency would continue this enduring legacy of progress and empowerment.
With her elevated position and the promise of deliberate policy reforms, Jane’s tenure could advance this legacy at a swifter pace, fostering more immediate and impactful change.
During his administration, significant steps were taken to improve the status of women in Ghana. These included prioritizing girls’ education through scholarships and support programs, enhancing maternal health services, introducing microfinance and small loans for women entrepreneurs, addressing gender-based violence, and encouraging women’s participation in politics.
Mahama’s choice of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate underscores his commitment to gender parity. By challenging patriarchal norms and promoting women’s leadership, he is paving the way for transformative change. His leadership and support for women’s rights make him deserving of the women’s vote in the upcoming elections.
The Path Forward
Let us unite in the push for gender parity and sustainable inclusion. By supporting the brilliant policies of the NDC and John Dramani Mahama—women’s voices must be heard, and their leadership recognized. It is time to take action and ensure that women’s contributions are valued and their rights upheld.
As we move forward, let us embrace gender parity and representation, working together to build a better future for all Ghanaians.
John Mahama’s vision for gender parity in Ghanaian politics is a clarion call for a transformative shift in societal norms and political practices.
By prioritizing gender parity, Ghana can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future, harnessing the full potential of all its citizens. The journey toward gender equality is ongoing and requires the collective effort and unwavering commitment of every Ghanaian.
Let us heed this call for progress and march forward together towards a brighter, more equitable tomorrow.
