A Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr John Osae-Kwapong, has praised President Mahama for his deliberate and intentional efforts to achieve gender balance through his ministerial nominations for key positions across the various sectors.

Dr Osae-Kwapong’s commendation follows the recent release of the president’s list of ministerial nominees, including those for the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, and the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment.

Speaking on the AM Show on JoyNews, Dr Osae-Kwapong highlighted the importance of expertise and competence in ministerial appointments.

“When appointments are made in government, one of the first questions that arise is whether the person has the necessary subject matter expertise in that particular policy domain. But beyond policy expertise, the person must also be a skilled technocrat,” he explained.

Dr Osae-Kwapong also drew attention to the fact that during his campaign, President Mahama committed to ensuring 30% gender representation in his administration.

“The president promised 30% gender balance in his appointments, and from what we’ve seen so far, he is on track to fulfilling that promise,” Dr Osae-Kwapong stated. “It’s encouraging to see him staying true to his word, and this is a significant step toward greater gender equality in governance.”

He went on to underscore the significance of President Mahama’s efforts, particularly in light of the Affirmative Action and Gender Equity Law, which seeks to promote gender parity across all sectors.

“The Affirmative Action and Gender Equity Law advocates for gender equality in various sectors, and the government plays a crucial role in making this a reality,” Dr Osae-Kwapong said.

“By ensuring gender balance in his appointments, President Mahama is clearly demonstrating his commitment to this vision, which makes his actions even more important” he noted.

He also praised the president’s strategic approach to gender inclusion, stressing that it’s not just about meeting quotas or ticking boxes.

“What stands out to me is how intentional President Mahama has been in achieving this balance. It’s not just about fulfilling a number; it’s about ensuring that women are in leadership roles where they can have a meaningful impact on governance,” he said.

Further reflecting on the significance of President Mahama’s gender representation efforts, he suggested that achieving 40% gender representation would be a historic milestone.

“If President Mahama succeeds in reaching 40% gender representation in his administration, it would be groundbreaking, not just for his government but for the entire country,” he noted. “This would set a precedent for future administrations and send a powerful message about the importance of gender equality in leadership.”

Dr Osae-Kwapong expressed his optimism about the progress being made, stating, “From what we’ve seen so far, it’s clear that President Mahama is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable government".

I believe these steps are a significant contribution to gender equality, and they deserve recognition, he concluded.