The CSO Clusters on Decentralization and Citizens Participation, in partnership with other civil society groups, have given government a two-week ultimatum to ensure that the Affirmative Action Bill is passed.
The Coalition says the delay in the passage of the Bill is a concern for development partners and Ghanaians who have followed with keen interest, the processes towards the passage of the Affirmative Action Law for Ghana.
Co-Convenor for the Coalition, Efua Chidi said successive governments have been lackadaisical about the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill.
“If you look at our laws, especially the Affirmative Action Bill, we know that the action to work on the Bill started way back in 2011 and after that we have had several Bills passed but that is one area that we do not see any government’s decision on. So our question is, is our government not concerned about issues concerning women and the less privileged? Is it that they have decided to ignore us totally? Is it that the clauses in the Bill are too much for any government to handle?”
The Affirmative Action Bill, which has suffered a number of setbacks for about 10 years now, seeks to increase the participation of women in decision making.
It provides for 40 percent representation and participation of women in governance, public positions of power and decision making.
The Bill is currently before the Parliament of Ghana for consideration.
Out of 275 Members in the Parliament of Ghana, only 38 are women, representing a marginal 13.8 percent of the total number of Members of Parliament.