The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has expressed strong disappointment over the lack of gender representation in President John Dramani Mahama’s cabinet and Parliament, describing it as unacceptable and a betrayal of the Affirmative Action Gender Equality Act recently passed by Parliament.
Speaking during an International Women’s Day event in Parliament, Bagbin lamented that only two out of 19 Cabinet Ministers are women, falling significantly short of the 30% minimum benchmark for women’s representation stipulated by the new law.
“Out of the 43 committees in Parliament, only four are chaired by women. And out of 19 ministers of state in the cabinet, only two are women. So, why did we spend all the resources and time to pass the law? We have to sit up,” the Speaker charged.
He also noted with concern that even the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is not part of the Cabinet, highlighting a glaring contradiction in the government’s commitment to gender equality.
“We have tarried long enough in passing the bill. Let us not apply the same wishy-washy attitude towards its implementation,” Bagbin stressed.
Calling for Parliament to lead by example, Bagbin urged a review and reconstitution of leadership roles in Parliament to reflect the spirit of the Affirmative Action law.
“I call on leadership, and I will lead it. They have to consider the reconstitution of leadership in the House. We passed the law, so we have to lead by example,” he emphasized.
The Speaker’s comments come amid growing calls from civil society and gender advocates for greater inclusivity and representation of women in leadership and governance.
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Source:
3news.com
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