Parliament will Ensure passage of Affirmative Action Bill to Enhance Women Equality- Speaker assures
The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, T Hon Alban A.K. Bagbin has served notices that the legislative house will have no option but to modify the Affirmative Actuon Bill and pass it into law should the Executive remain dilly daily on it’s passage.
According to the Speaker, the Affirmative Action Bill which has been on the burner for passage since the 6th Parliament would be fine tune for passage by parliament if the government continued to play dilly dally to relaid it before the House.
RT Hon Bagbin made the comments when Senators of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Friendship Association delegation paid courtesy call on him in Parliament on Thursday, May 26,2022.
The Bill which sought to give a certain privileges to women representation in governance and other decision making bodies has been pending for over ten years.
However, responding to questions posed by some members of the Canadian delegation regarding the the bill, the Speaker said the Affirmative Action bill required immediate attention.
Parliament, he said is committed to working cohesively with the Executive branch to ensure that the draft bill is presented to the House in order to create a window of opportunity for women, the elderly, the disabled, and members of minority groups.
The Speaker emphasised the need to support and strengthen equality and women’s empowerment initiatives in the country.
“Given Ghana’s enviable democratic credentials in Africa, there is still a need to promote women’s sense of worth and their right to influence and lead developmental change,” he stated.
With reference to current hung nature of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Bagbin, said both sides of the House must commit to consultations and consensus building in order to gain public support.
He further expressed the need for the review of the Constitution, stating, “The glaring flaws in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution necessitate a review, and until its successful implementation, members of both parties must engage in strategic engagements and compromise.”
The delegation from the Canadian Senate was led by Senator and Co- Chair of Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, Hon. Amina Gerba.
The delegation is in the country to learn and understand the delicate situation of the hung Parliament of Ghana, the first if it’s kind.
She commended the Speaker for his commitment and dedicated services to Mother Ghana and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
On her part, the High Commissioner of Canada to Ghana, H. E. Kati Csaba, revealed that Canada government had approved a programme to assist Ghana’s Parliament in the areas of gender equality, equity, and inclusiveness.
She expressed the hope that the program when implemented, would help to foster and further enhance the bilateral relationship between Ghana and Canada for a mutually benefit.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
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