Media urged to champion affirmative action implementation
Media organisations have been urged to comply with provisions of the Affirmative Action (AA) Act to advance gender equity in the country.
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said although the media played a critical role in promoting public awareness of the law, it must also lead by example by ensuring that women were adequately represented at high decision-making levels.
She made the remarks at an engagement with journalists on the implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), in Accra yesterday.
The law, which seeks to remove barriers to women’s representation in leadership and professional spaces, targets at least 30 per cent female representation at all levels by the end of 2026, increasing to 50 per cent by 2034 across both public and private sectors.
According to the Minister, “the law is for the people of Ghana, and its success depends on awareness, acceptance, and active public participation.”
She acknowledged the crucial role of the media in deepening public knowledge of the Act and demanding accountability in its implementation to ensure that it does not remain dormant.
“Use your platforms to inform the public, challenge harmful norms, and amplify the voices of women and girls across Ghana.
“We count on you not only to report, but to lead in shaping a national discourse that drives change and results in gender equality and social inclusion for sustainable development,” Dr Lartey urged.
Dr Lartey expressed the ministry’s commitment to partnering stakeholders to achieve the objectives of the law.
“Together, let us ensure that the AA Act is fully realised, not just in policy, but in the lived experiences of our people,” she said.
The Principal Programme Officer at the Department of Gender of the ministry, Ms Sabia Kpekata, disclosed that several structures, including committees and a Gender Equity Secretariat, had been established to ensure effective implementation of the Act.
She said the Legislative Instrument (LI) on the Act had been finalised and was awaiting parliamentary approval, while stakeholder engagements were ongoing to ensure wider public buy-in and effective operationalisation of the law.
Ms Kpekata underscored the media’s role in shaping public perception, promoting accountability, and advancing gender equity in the country.
“Let us ensure gender-sensitive reporting, public education, and inclusive representation to support the realisation of the Act and build an equitable society,” she urged.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
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