Lawmakers in Ghana’s parliament have appealed to themselves for the prompt passage of the Affirmative Action Bill into law.
The Bill when finally passed into Law will promote democracy, inclusion and good governance at all levels of governance and decision-making in the country, as well as address other social and economic imbalances.
It will require government to ensure equitable gender representation at all levels.
The chorus of the MPs follows a statement made by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, and MP for Okaikwei South, Dakoa Newman, on the floor of parliament on Wednesday June 19, 2024 in which she appealed for the passage of the bill.
All lawmakers who contributed to the statement on the floor agreed in principle and urged the need for the piece of legislation to see the light of day as soon as practicable.
Some of these MPs include deputy Interior minister and MP for Gomoa Central, Naana Eyiah Quansah , Asawase MP, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, Bole Bamboi MP, Yussif Sulemana, Abuakwa South MP, Samuel Atta Akyea and MP for Salaga South, Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahima.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, during the Speaker’s Breakfast Forum in Accra in November, 2023 on the theme “30 Years of Parliamentary Democracy under the Fourth Republic: Reflections on Citizens’ Engagement and the Way Forward” stated that parliament will be passed under a certificate of urgency due to its critical nature.
He accordingly encouraged lawmakers to seek the input of their constituents and other stakeholders in order to craft a good legislation for the benefit of all.
The Affirmative Action bill which has been in and out of the legislative arm for about two decades now takes inspirations from the 1992 constitution and it’s expected to prohibit all forms of discrimination including gender.
Some people have wondered what the basis of the call from the MPs is when the Ghanaian constitution is clear that it is only parliament that can pass a law, which means it is only they the MPs that can make this happen.
By Christian Kpesese