The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has lauded the Parliament of Ghana for the successful passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act, 2024, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s journey toward gender parity and inclusive governance.

In a statement released on August 1, CDD-Ghana extended its congratulations to Parliament, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP), the Affirmative Action Bill Coalition, and all stakeholders who played critical roles in advancing this legislation.

The organisation emphasised that this landmark Act is a crucial step towards fulfilling Article 35 (6b) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates the state to "take appropriate measures to achieve reasonable regional and gender balance in the recruitment and appointment to public offices."

"This historic milestone demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing the long-standing disparities in public life, ownership, and control of economic and other resources, and empowering women to contribute meaningfully to the development of our nation," CDD-Ghana stated.

The organisation particularly commended the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, for his leadership and determination in shepherding the legislation through the legislative process.

CDD-Ghana also recognised the efforts of the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, alongside the former and current chairpersons of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender and Children, the Legal and Constitutional Committee of Parliament, the Women’s Caucus, and all members of Parliament who championed the bill.

Acknowledging the critical role of civil society, CDD-Ghana applauded the persistent advocacy and mobilisation efforts of the Affirmative Action Coalition and other civil society organisations, which were instrumental in bringing this bill to fruition.

Call for Urgent Implementation While celebrating the passage of the Act, CDD-Ghana underscored the importance of its swift and effective implementation and urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to sign the bill into law without delay to ensure its timely enforcement.

"We call on the government to provide the necessary resources and support, including funding and capacity building, to facilitate the implementation process," the statement read.

CDD-Ghana also advocated for robust and continuous monitoring and evaluation to assess progress and address any challenges that may arise during the implementation phase.

A Commitment to Gender Equality CDD-Ghana reaffirmed its dedication to supporting the implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act and promoting gender equality and social inclusion across the nation.

The organisation called on all relevant actors, including government agencies, civil society organisations, and development partners, to collaborate diligently to ensure the full and effective realisation of the Act’s objectives.

As a leading advocate for democracy and good governance, CDD-Ghana expressed its optimism for a future where gender equality is fully realised in Ghana, ensuring that women are empowered to play vital roles in the country’s development.