Affirmative Action Assent: HFFG commends Ghana Government

For immediate Release

Hope For Future Generations (HFFG) joins all well-meaning Ghanaians and the international community to laud the President and Government of Ghana on the assent of the historic Affirmative Action Act 2024.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday September 19, 2024, signed the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act 2024 into law.

 This marks a new dawn for Ghanaian women and girls, a major landmark in Ghana’s efforts towards gender equity and women and girl’s empowerment.

 The law is expected to address historical and systemic gender imbalances in Ghana.

The Affirmative Action Act 2024, first introduced in Parliament in 2011, was finally assented by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday.

 The passage represents a landmark executive effort in Ghana’s ongoing journey towards achieving gender parity across all sectors of society.

 It aims to enhance women’s participation in governance and decision-making in Ghana.

It will promote diversity by ensuring that minorities, specifically women have equal opportunities in leadership at all levels.

 The Act, which was in Parliament for over a decade, is the result of several partners and actors lobbying and activism.

As a signatory to several regional and international laws and treaties for women’s rights, Ghana demonstrates her commitment to enhancing and safeguarding women’s right.

The Act ensures that Ghana’s gender equality efforts are consistent with global best practices and commitments.

 Ghana has the potential to lead in transforming women’s right to meet and exceed the African Union Agenda 2063 goals, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

As a member of Affirmative Action Coalition, NETRIGHT and African Women Leaders Network, HFFG commends the efforts of stakeholders such as the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Honourable Dakoa Newman and partners that contributed to the assent of the Act. 

The Act has a key target to increase women active participation in public life to 50% by 2030.

Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), the convenor of the SDG 5 CSO platform believes this reflects Ghana’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets.

 As a signatory to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), which mandates State Parties to remove discrimination against women and implement affirmative actions, Ghana potentially sets herself to being a regional leader in championing women’s rights.

The passage of the Affirmative Action Act is a significant step towards bridging systemic gender gaps in Ghana.

 It signals a hopeful outlook on women’s rights and representation in Ghanaian major decision-making of public and private life.

The realisation of the Act in the daily lives of the average Ghanaian woman must be at the core of the Act.

 Government must ensure all resources are available for the successful implementation of the Act.

 Hope for Future Generations is a women, children and youth focused community based, national NGO in Ghana.

It seeks to improve the well-being and quality of life of our beneficiaries and communities, especially women, children, and young people through innovative and acceptable participatory strategies and right-based approaches.

HFFG has been in existence for over 22 years and has offices in seven (7) regions, with our work reaching all 16 regions of Ghana.

Please visit our website www.hffg.org for more information.

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