Honour your promise of 30% female representation in govt
The People’s National Party (PNP) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to honor his promise of ensuring 30 per cent female representation in government appointments.
According to a statement signed by PNP chairperson and leader, Janet Asana Nabla, the Affirmative Action Act, passed on July 30, 2024, mandates all governments to allocate at least 30 per cent of appointments to women.
She said since taking office, President Mahama has ignored this law, appointing only 16 per cent women as ministers, 14 per cent as deputy ministers, and a mere 10 per cent as cabinet ministers.
Ms Nabla said this action by the President was a direct violation of Article 17(4) of the Constitution, which calls for corrective measures to address gender imbalances.
She said President Mahama should implement the law, adding that failure to do so not only breaks a campaign promise but also undermines efforts to promote equality in governance.
The PNP chairperson further expressed worry about religious leaders, their silence on the matter and questioned why churches and mosques, which rely heavily on female members, have not spoken against this injustice
“We want to remind Christian and Muslim leaders that religion has always been a defender of justice, citing Biblical and Quranic examples where Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad upheld the rights of women,” she explained.
Ms Nabla emphasized that many religious institutions have been vocal on political issues in the past, yet they remain quiet on a matter that directly affects women.
She urged them to take a stand and demand that President Mahama respects the Constitution and reconstitutes his appointments to meet the legal requirement of 30 per cent female representation.
She stressed that this is not just a political issue but a moral and legal obligation. It warned that failure to act will embolden future violations of the law and further entrench gender inequality in Ghana.
Ms Nabla called for urgent action, stating that Ghanaian women deserve better and should not be ignored in matters of national governance.
BY TIMES REPORTER