Amnesty International Ghana in collaboration with the Affirmative Action Law Coalition and Oxfam in Ghana provided a strategic platform for stakeholders to deliberate on implementation strategies and foster partnerships to ensure the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act which was passed in Parliament on 30th July 2024.
The Inter-Generational Roundtable Discussion on Affirmative Action Implementation was held to bring together key stakeholders, including experienced activists and young campaigners, to discuss the effective execution of Ghana’s Affirmative Action Act, 2024 (Gender Equity Act). The Act is a landmark piece of legislation aimed at achieving gender parity in leadership and governance.
The primary objectives of the roundtable included aligning efforts between the Affirmative Action Coalition and Post-Enactment Campaigners (PEC), strategizing on the drafting and passage of legislative instruments (LI) to operationalize the Act, and exploring innovative advocacy approaches to address potential implementation challenges. Additionally, participants sought to establish clear targets for monitoring compliance in both public and private sectors. A key highlight of the event was a presentation by Madam Sheila Minka-Premo Esq., Convenor of the Affirmative Action Coalition, who outlined the long advocacy journey leading to the passage of the Act. Passed by Parliament on July 30, 2024, and assented to by the President on September 11, 2024, the Act mandates progressive gender parity targets of 30% by 2026, 35% by 2028, and 50% by 2030.
Discussions centered on the implementation framework, which includes establishing a Gender Equity Committee (GEC) under the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) to oversee compliance, monitoring, and public education. Participants emphasized the urgency of developing legislative instruments to operationalize the Act. Several recommendations emerged from the open forum discussion, including the establishment of a standalone Commission for Affirmative Action with a dedicated budget, donor mapping to secure funding, and the inclusion of social enterprises in sensitization and implementation efforts. The importance of advocacy through digital storytelling, social media influencers, and a national scorecard for tracking compliance were also highlighted.
Key action points were agreed upon to ensure effective implementation. These included prioritizing the drafting and enactment of legislative instruments, pushing for the constitution and operationalization of the Gender Equity Committee, and compiling a comprehensive database of qualified women from diverse fields for potential leadership appointments. Creative public awareness campaigns leveraging digital platforms, arts, and media were proposed to educate the public. Strengthening partnerships between civil society organizations (CSOs), the MoGCSP, and private-sector entities were also deemed essential to ensure compliance and resource mobilization.
The discussion concluded with a collective commitment from participants to advocate for compliance at all levels of governance. They resolved to leverage innovative strategies to achieve gender parity by 2030. CSOs pledged to work closely with women’s rights organizations to nominate representatives for the GEC, assist in drafting legislative instruments, and submit proposals to the MoGCSP. Additional commitments included launching targeted public sensitization campaigns, organizing a post-election review meeting to assess progress, and developing formal Terms of Reference for the PEC Committee to guide implementation efforts. Through sustained collaboration and advocacy, stakeholders aim to drive meaningful progress toward gender equity in Ghana.