Affirmative Action Bill Finally Passed

The Parliament of Ghana has passed the Affirmative Action, Gender Equity Bill 2024 into law following years of advocacy.

The Parliament successfully passed the bill after it was read for the third time on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, on the floor.

It was declared passed by the Speaker, Rt Hon Alban Bagbin after a voice vote following the third reading.

“Honourable members the ‘ayes’ have it. The Affirmative Action Gender Equality Bill 2024 now the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act duly read the third time and passed.”

The Bill will now be taken to the President for his assent after which it will become law.

This bill seeks to encourage efforts towards addressing socio-cultural, political, economic, and educational gender imbalances in private and public sectors, per Clause 4 of Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution.

Its objective is to encourage the progressive increase and active participation of women in public and private sectors from a minimum of 30 per cent.

The Bill was introduced to the country in the 60s and was reviewed by the Cabinet and resent to parliament on September 29, 2023, under a certificate of urgency; however, it appeared to have been abandoned until now.

It will be recalled that the seeming unconcern towards the bill by parliament compelled Hon Akosua Frema Osei Opare, the Chief of Staff of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to resort to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s intervention in the passage by Parliament.

Hailing the King for his highest regard for the welfare of women and his commitment to women’s empowerment during an event at the Manhyia Palace on April 23, 2024, the country’s first female chief of staff underscored the urgency for the passage of the bill which is currently pending before the eighth Parliament.

The passage of the bill is a milestone and will be celebrated by advocacy groups in favour of it.