Women advocates wish for speedy passage of the Affirmative Action Bill

15-05-13 

RM Alhaji Mohammed Muniru

Ms Sophia Ackumey reading the communique

Group Photo wit RM

Women advocates in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital are challenging government to as soon as practicable speed up the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill into law. The passage of the said bill backed by its effective implementation will mean that women would be empowered enough to take their rightful position in society. More importantly, women will be given a fair representation in the governance of the country. At a day’s durbar to advocate for the passage of the bill, the women drawn from NGOs and Civil Society Organisations among other stakeholders emphasized the need for all to empower and alleviate the plight of women both financially and economically to enable them reach their desired goals and aspirations. They also challenged women who have positioned themselves in leadership and has become role models to reflect, identify and support the girl child to develop their potentials. They described as false the widespread notion that women are their own enemies, explaining that most women due to cultural and political dimensions are made to succumb to certain principles that refrain them from participating in decision making process of any kind. For her part, the President of the Past and Present Assembly Women’s Association (PPAWA), Agnes Atayila, entreated women to be confident in themselves since they have all it takes to compete with their men folks. She was optimistic that with the little support and determination women will be able to aspire for any leadership position they desire. The Manager of Action Aid Ghana, Kusi Boamah said the affirmative action is intended to promote the opportunities of defined groups within a society, therefore the passage of the bill, whose final draft was validated in koforidua last month, will make it mandatory for recruitment of women into key leadership and decision making positions in the country. He however asked government to prioritize the bill and fast track its process. The Chairman of the Regional Inter Sectoral Gender Network (RISEGNET) D.J Abang-Gos expressed grave concern about the low participation and representation of women in decision making in the region and urged women to rise up to the challenge. The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed–Muniru, said in as much as we advocate for the speedy passage of the bill, there was the need to ensure that the girl child is inculcated with the values of positive attitude in her outlook of life and also be oriented to rise against barriers in attaining her goals as an individual. In his late submission, Alhaji Mohammmed Muniru, concluded that government was in the process of speeding up the passage of the bill, stressing that government has consulted key stakeholders including women groups and considered their inputs.  At the end of the durbar, Sophia Ackumey, a women advocate presented a communique to demand the speedy passage of the bill into law. It was received by the Minister for onward presentation to the President for consideration. The durbar organised by RISEGNET with support from Action Aid was on the theme: ‘Affirmative Action: A tool for Women Development.

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