- Mahama pledges Property Rights of Spouses Bill.
- Bill ensures equitable asset distribution in marriage separations.
- Domestic Workers Bill to protect vulnerable workers.
- NDC prioritizes social justice and women's empowerment.
John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has made a significant pledge to pass the Property Rights of Spouses Bill if he wins the upcoming December elections. This bill is crucial for securing women’s rights in marriage, ensuring they receive fair treatment in property distribution.
Speaking at the NDC Women’s Manifesto launch on September 30, Mahama emphasized that marriage is a union, and in the event of separation, assets like buildings and farmland should be shared equitably. He stressed that no man should have the power to evict a woman without granting her a fair share of what was acquired during the marriage.
Mahama also unveiled plans for a Domestic Workers Bill to protect vulnerable workers, mostly women, from exploitation and abuse. This law will hold accountable those who mistreat domestic workers. He noted that domestic workers often face abuse, underfeeding, and neglect, and this legislation will provide necessary protections to end such exploitation.
The NDC’s commitment to social justice and protecting vulnerable groups is clear. These laws will safeguard women’s rights and dignity across Ghana. Mahama’s pledge is particularly significant, given the challenges women face in property distribution after separation or divorce.
Currently, the courts and judicial activists have passed judgments that serve as guidelines for property distribution, but these measures focus only on monogamous marriages, leaving out polygamous settings. The proposed bill aims to address this gap and ensure equity prevails.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has also urged Parliament to enact the Property Rights of Spouses Bill, citing Article 22(2) of the Constitution, which enjoins Parliament to protect spousal property rights.
The need for this bill is pressing, considering the high number of divorced or separated marriages in Ghana – over 950,000, with 553,065 marriages dissolved and 405,090 separated.
Mahama’s commitment to passing this bill is a step towards addressing the challenges women face in marriage and ensuring their rights are protected.
