The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye has engaged representatives of key stakeholder groups on the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill at the Parliament of Ghana in Accra, today Monday 25th November 2019.

The purpose of the engagement was to provide a platform for key stakeholders to appreciate the need for the Affirmative Action Law; critically identify key concerns and challenges on the implementation of the Affirmative Action Bill when passed into law; and share with Parliament, recommendations on mitigation strategies on any challenges that may arise after the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill into Law.

Speaking on the theme: "Ghana's Journey on Affirmative Action Legislation: Examining the Role of Parliament," Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye called for a comprehensive review of the country’s affirmative action framework. He bemoaned what he says are gaping loopholes in the Bill, which he contends will hinder strict compliance.

“There are a number of gaping gaps.  We cannot allow ourselves to be at the bottom of the world ladder when it comes to political representation… Affirmative Action is an instrument for using the law for sexual engineering. That is why I am telling the Gender Minister to let us revisit the proposed legislation. The compulsory aspect of affirmative action doesn’t bite. So we should make sure that by the law, we should employ the single paper agreement.”

Addressing the gathering on behalf of the STAR Ghana Foundation, Dr Esther Ofei Aboagye, Chairperson of STAR Ghana Foundation, recounted the mandate of the Foundation by stating that:

“At STAR Ghana Foundation we are interested in promoting the motive of active citizenship and it in this view that we work around Gender Equality and Social Inclusion and our collaboration with Parliament as the representatives of the people.

Dr. Ofei-Aboagye further expressed the Foundation’s appreciation to Parliament for its effort in promoting affirmative action.

“We are also very appreciative of the work that Parliament has done on this particular subject over the past few years. We acknowledge the Speaker’s interest and support for the issue… and to bring this up at a time when Parliament is very constrained with considerable business on its plate indicates to us that Parliament recognises that this matter cannot be put off further” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament, the Second Deputy Speaker, Hon. Alban S. K. Bagbin indicated in the closing remarks, the necessary next steps for Parliament about promoting an affirmative action law. He remarked that:

 “What will then happen after this forum? I have the authority of the Right Honourable Speaker, to direct the Acting Clark, with his team and that of the Parliamentary Front Office to make the report of this discussion available to the relevant Committees of Parliament and Ministries so that these rich presentations and contributions could be factored into deliberations on the floor of the House.”

Hon Bagbin further expressed his gratitude to the organisers of the event, civil society organisations spearheading the advocacy for an affirmative action law in Ghana and particularly to STAR Ghana Foundation and its funders for their support.

“Let me end by appreciating STAR Ghana Foundation for being the channel through which Parliament has been able to engage more with the citizens of this country. We are very grateful to you. We also want to express our gratitude to DFID (UKAID) and the EU for funding STAR Ghana to do this wonderful work for the people of this country.”

The bill, which has been pending for about 13 years, is expected to increase the participation of women in decision making. Ghana’s Affirmative Action Bill, when passed into Law, will require the government to ensure equitable gender representation at all levels of governance and decision-making in Ghana, as well as address other social and economic imbalances.

When passed, it is expected to affect women’s representation in the public service, ministerial positions, independent constitutional bodies, boards of state institutions, the security services, and political parties.

The final draft of the Bill received cabinet approval in 2016, but was not tabled in Parliament and, therefore, did not reach the consideration stage before the end of the 6th Parliament of the 4th Republic.

In attendance were the leadership of Parliament, MPs, representatives of: Civil Society Organisations including the Ghana Federation of Disability Associations; Ghana Journalists’ Association; the Ghana Bar Association; STAR Ghana Foundation; Student Parliaments among others.

The event forms part of activities under the Parliament- STAR Ghana Collaboration. STAR Ghana in June 2017 signed a partnership framework with the Parliament of Ghana to help deepen and consolidate democratic governance in Ghana. The partnership with Parliament aims at helping to enhance Parliament's effectiveness in discharging its constitutional mandate.