Affirmative Action Bill Coalition calls for increased female representation in ministerial appointments
The Affirmative Action Bill Coalition has expressed concerns over the declining representation of women in ministerial nominations under President John Dramani Mahama's administration.
Convenor Sheila Minkah-Preko noted that recent appointments have reduced the percentage of women nominees, falling far short of the 30% benchmark set by the Affirmative Action Law.
Speaking on 's Top Story on Tuesday, January 21, Mr Minkah-Preko highlighted that while the initial nominations included seven women out of 25 appointees, representing 78%, subsequent nominations have excluded women altogether, bringing the overall percentage down to approximately 16%.
“We were very happy last week when seven out of the 25 nominees were women, which made it 78%. However, with the additional three regional and 14 ministerial nominees, there is no woman at all, bringing the percentage down to about 16%. For us, that is not the expectation. It should be at least 30%, as stipulated in the Affirmative Action Law,” she stressed.
The Minority in Parliament has also raised similar concerns, urging the President to honour his campaign promises of ensuring gender equity in government appointments.
The 1992 Constitution, along with the Affirmative Action Law, underscores the importance of inclusivity and gender balance in leadership positions.
Madam Minkah-Preko expressed optimism that future nominations will include more women, aligning with the legal requirement and reflecting Ghana’s demographic composition.
“Women constitute a larger portion of the population and are equally qualified. We expect to see more women nominated to ensure inclusiveness,” she stated.
The coalition called on the government to prioritise gender equity in all appointments, reiterating that increased female representation is not just a legal obligation but also critical to fostering a more inclusive and effective governance structure.
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