The Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance, Emmanuel Akwetey, has called on women to actively seek positions in the local government sector.
According to Mr. Akwetey, the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill will pave the way for women to participate more in local governance but since the bill is in legislative conduit, women should take advantage of that to seek roles in local government.
Currently, the Affirmative Action Bill which seeks to promote women’s participation and representation in decision-making is at the consideration stage in parliament.
He was very optimistic that the Affirmative Action Bill would finally see the light of day this year, providing a much-needed boost to the ongoing efforts to bridge the gender gap in public offices.
Mr. Akwetey in an interview monitored by The Ghana Report on Asaase News said; “I am optimistic that the affirmative action bill will see the light of day this year, providing a significant step towards bridging the gender gap in public offices”.
“The Affirmative Action bill has the potential to reshape our political representation, offering a more diverse and inclusive governance structure,” he noted.
He added; “Encouraging women to take up roles in local government is a strategic move to achieve gender equality and empower women in the decision-making processes”.
The lack of interest in women participating in political affairs is an issue at the national level of election as well.
The Ghana Report’s exclusive article “Here Are The Paltry 4% Of Women Who Won In The NPP Primaries” highlights the outcome of women’s representation in the NPP 2024 parliamentary primaries.
Although the 1992 Constitution of Ghana guarantees women’s political rights, inadequate female representation in government remains a hurdle.
The number of female candidates who contested in the NPP primaries is an indication that most women lack interest in politics or perhaps lack the necessary resources to maneuver in political affairs, a reason women shun politics in Africa especially.
However, Mr. Akwetey believes that women participating in the electoral process grants them the opportunity to make a significant impact on decision-making processes and contribute to community development.