The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply fully with the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121) by developing gender policies and submitting regular implementation reports.
The Ministry said compliance with the law is mandatory and critical to promoting gender equity, equal opportunities and increased representation of women in Ghana’s public sector leadership and decision-making spaces.
The directive was issued by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, during a capacity-building workshop for Chief Directors and Gender Desk Officers in Accra.
The workshop was designed to equip public institutions with practical knowledge on the provisions, reporting obligations and implementation requirements of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024.
According to the Minister, Section 30 of Act 1121 mandates the Ministry, through the Department of Gender, to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the legislation.
She stressed that public institutions are required to integrate gender equity principles into recruitment processes; appointments; promotions; leadership selection; and institutional decision-making.
The move is aimed at ensuring fair representation of women across Ghana’s public institutions.
Dr Lartey said gender equity has moved beyond being a government policy objective and is now backed by legislation.
She noted that an earlier directive from the Office of the President requires all public institutions to take immediate steps towards compliance with the law.
“Gender equity is no longer a policy aspiration but a national development imperative supported by law,” she said.
The Minister added that the effectiveness of the Affirmative Action Act would depend largely on the commitment of MDAs to implement its provisions.
Dr Lartey revealed that the Ministry has established a Gender Equity Committee and Secretariat to coordinate implementation and monitor compliance among public institutions.
She said the Secretariat has already begun engagements with key institutions, including: the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA); the Ministry of Health; and the Ghana Health Service.
She further announced that a standardised reporting template has been developed to guide MDAs in submitting their implementation reports.
According to her, the reports will support monitoring, policy decisions and certification processes.
The Gender Minister warned that institutions that fail to submit required reports risk being classified as non-compliant with the Affirmative Action Act.
“Failure to submit the required reports constitutes non-compliance and undermines national efforts towards achieving gender equity,” Dr Lartey stated.
She urged Chief Directors to provide leadership in ensuring compliance, while Gender Desk Officers were encouraged to champion gender mainstreaming within their respective institutions.
GNA