Ghana’s lawmakers passed a law on Tuesday to enhance women’s opportunities at the national level, aiming to boost their governance and decision-making roles to a minimum of 30% by 2030, according to the speaker of parliament.
Parliament members unanimously approved the Affirmative Action Gender Bill 2024, concluding a process initiated in 1998.
This bill seeks to address socio-cultural, political, economic, and educational imbalances in both private and public sectors.
The law will take effect once President Nana Akufo-Addo, a supporter of the measure, signs it.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin emphasized the need for immediate action to implement the law’s requirements.
Bagbin stated that Ghana must strive to create a just society, ensuring gender equality and equity as inspired by the 1992 Constitution.
“We need to do more to liberate more of our women,” he said.
Ghana, a gold, cocoa, and oil producer, passed a restrictive anti-LGBTQ law in February, now stalled by legal cases.
Currently, less than 15% of its 275-member parliament are women, far below the 30% UN target.
