The Institute for Democratic Governance’s (IDEG) executive director, Emmanuel Akwetey, expressed optimism that the affirmative action bill will soon pass this year.
The urgently needed bill is being considered by Parliament and seeks to significantly change the political landscape of the nation in favour of gender equality.
The proposed legislation, which has been in Parliament for more than ten years, aims to transform the political landscape by requiring a minimum 40% reservation of public offices for women.
Akwetey is optimistic because she thinks that if the bill is passed, it will be a significant step toward addressing the long-standing gender gap in political representation and advancing gender inclusivity.
“We must look at human resources and development in general, and I have told the women we work with that you can’t get the numbers in parliament unless they aspire to look at them,” Akwetey stated in an interview with Asaase News.
Akwetey emphasized the affirmative action bill’s transformative potential and urgency. “The potential for women to enter political offices through opportunities in local governance is the promise of the Affirmative Action Bill,” stated Akwetey.
