The Member of Parliament for Ho West and a leading voice as the Chairman of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus has underscored the critical need for Ghana to intensify its efforts towards gender equality, transparent governance, and robust democratic reforms.
Gender equality, he said, is not about making women more like men, or vice versa. Its essence lies in guaranteeing that every individual, irrespective of their gender, is afforded the same opportunities and the same rights.
In a statement in Parliament on Tuesday, as the nation commemorated the International Day of Parliamentarianism under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality, Action by Action,” Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah argued that meaningful societal change demands persistent and intentional action from all sectors. The day is observed globally on June 30th.
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He voiced concern regarding the persistent underrepresentation of women within parliamentary bodies across the world, and Ghana is no exception. Despite the significant legislative step of passing the Affirmative Action Gender Act in 2024, the proportion of female parliamentarians in Ghana remains a modest 14.6%. This places Ghana at a sobering 137th position on the global ranking for female parliamentary representation.
Hon. Bedzrah acknowledged the positive impact of internal parliamentary initiatives aimed at promoting gender balance, such as the establishment of the Women’s Caucus and the Ladies in Parliamentary Service (LiPS) initiative. However, he also stressed the enduring obstacles that continue to impede progress.
“Deep-rooted structural and cultural barriers, coupled with weak enforcement of existing gender equity laws and insufficient civic education, are still hindering the advancement of women in politics,” he stated. He appealed for more rigorous enforcement of gender equality legislation and greater collaboration from all citizens to overcome these challenges.
Hon. Bedzrah also reflected on the significant achievements Parliament has made in recent years, particularly in ensuring peaceful political transitions and fostering cross-party cooperation, most notably during the unique circumstances of the hung Parliament following the 2020 elections.
“Our Parliament has evolved into an indispensable platform for holding the executive branch accountable and for reinforcing our democratic foundations. Nevertheless, events such as the chaotic election of the Speaker in 2021 and the recurring instances of parliamentary walkouts have eroded public trust in the institution,” he cautioned.
Drawing attention to a concerning 2024 study, Hon. Bedzrah pointed out that a mere 8% of Ghanaian citizens recognise and value Parliament’s role in lawmaking, with an even lower 2% appreciating its oversight functions.
He stressed that this disconnect between the public and Parliament must be addressed through enhanced public education initiatives and further institutional reforms.”
Hon. Bedzrah celebrated the recent advancements in Ghana’s engagement with the Open Government Partnership (OGP). He underscored the significant milestone of inaugurating the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the subsequent launch of a new Open Parliament Action Plan.
This ambitious plan is built upon four key pillars: Transparency, Accountability, Citizen Participation, and Technology & Innovation. “These steps are both timely and strategically important, as they directly tackle pressing issues such as limited public access to legislative procedures and the insufficient inclusion of youth and women in parliamentary affairs,” Hon. Bedzrah explained.
He emphasised Ghana’s leading role within the OGP community, noting that the nation secured the top position in the 2022 Open Parliament Index and also highlighted Ghana’s influential role in inspiring similar open governance initiatives in neighbouring countries such as Côte d’Ivoire and Benin.
Hon. Bedzrah reiterated the pivotal role of Parliament in shaping a democracy that is both inclusive and accountable. He urged a renewed commitment to the fundamental principles of parliamentary democracy. The International Day of Parliamentarianism serves as an annual occasion for reflection on the evolving significance of legislatures in the realm of democratic governance.