Sheila Minkah-Premo, a key advocate for the Affirmative Action Coalition Bill, has voiced her enthusiasm following the recent passage of the Affirmative Action Bill by Parliament.
In a recent interview, Minkah-Premo underscored the importance of this achievement for advancing gender equality in the country and expressed optimism that the bill will soon receive the President’s signature.
She pointed out that the main hurdle had been navigating the legislative process in Parliament, but remains confident that obtaining presidential assent should be straightforward, given the President’s support for gender equity initiatives.
“This bill should not face significant challenges in receiving presidential assent. We believe the President, as a champion of gender issues, will support it,” Minkah-Premo stated.
Her remarks followed Parliament’s unanimous approval of the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Bill 2024, concluding a lengthy period of deliberation. This historic legislation is designed to ensure women are substantially represented in key positions within governance, public spheres, and decision-making bodies, thus improving opportunities for women nationwide.
Minkah-Premo also addressed concerns regarding potential gender bias, explaining that the bill includes provisions to ensure compliance until gender parity is achieved, after which the program will be reevaluated.
She reassured that the bill’s intent is to promote equality, not to create an imbalance, and emphasized that the legislation is in harmony with Article 17(4) of Ghana’s constitution, reinforcing its legitimacy within the country’s legal framework.
