President John Mahama says his government will implement the Affirmative Action Act of 2024 (Act 1121) to ensure gender equity across all spheres of national life.

He said the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection was actively collaborating with relevant stakeholders to operationalise the Act, including attaining the 30 per cent target quota for women in political appointments.

President Mahama was delivering his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) as a non-conservative President before Parliament on Thursday.

“I am pleased to report that women currently make up 23.21 per cent of all appointments, and we are diligently working toward reaching the target outlined in Act 1121,” he added.

President Mahama said he would engage all stakeholders, including development partners and civil society organisations, to prioritise gender equality, equity, and social justice.

“We will establish strong social protection mechanisms and enhance legal safeguards for women, girls, and other vulnerable groups,” he added.

The initiatives towards achieving that, he said, included enacting comprehensive laws and policies designed to dismantle harmful social norms, enhancing access to crucial resources and opportunities, particularly for young women and reducing overall vulnerability within the society.

President Mahama commended the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin for his unwavering support and guidance, which were instrumental in passing the Affirmative Action Act, 2024 (Act 1121) during the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

“I am concerned about achieving gender balance, especially at the local government level. Very few women muster the courage to apply for the position of MMDCE.

“The few who do are edged out on very flimsy and parochial grounds. It is my hope that the National Constitution Review Conference will clear the pathway for the election of DCEs. The Gender Ministry will have the obligation to encourage and support more women to apply for these positions,” he said.