In a historic and symbolic celebration of African Women’s Day 2025, Ghana officially launched the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act 2024 (Act 1121) at the Accra International Conference Centre, marking a pivotal step in the nation’s commitment to gender equity and inclusive governance.
The launch event was graced by a broad spectrum of stakeholders including officials from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, representatives from NGOs, MMDAs, civil society, security agencies, academia, traditional authorities, and media.
In her keynote address, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Member of Parliament for Krowor Constituency and Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, underscored the significance of the Act in advancing Ghana’s gender equality agenda.
“The passage of the Affirmative Action Act in July 2024 marked a significant milestone in Ghana’s pursuit of inclusive governance, gender equity and sustainable national development,”
Dr. Lartey said. “This law ensures progressive representation of women in key decision-making positions across public and private sectors.”
Dr. Momo Lartey announced the establishment of the *Gender Equity Committee*, tasked with guiding the implementation of the Act, and called for a unified effort across all sectors of society—including parliamentarians, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, development partners, academia, and the media—to ensure its effective rollout.
She expressed gratitude to the Presidency, Parliament of Ghana, and key partners including Agra Ghana, Allen Ghana, the Affirmative Action Coalition, Abantu for Development, and the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) for their longstanding advocacy and support.
“Together, we can create a Ghana where every woman and girl has the opportunity and the platform to lead,” she added, emphasizing the Act’s relevance to national development.
Delivering a message on behalf of Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Dr. Miriam Rahinatu Iddrisu, Policy Adviser on Social Sector Affairs, emphasized that the Act is not just a legal milestone but a product of decades-long advocacy.
“The Affirmative Action Act is a triumph of resilience, bipartisanship, and generational leadership. It is a central pillar of the ‘Reset Ghana’ agenda and is tightly aligned with government’s economic vision of a 24-hour economy,” she stated.
Dr. Iddrisu highlighted government’s commitment to issuing the necessary legislative instrument for enforcement and stressed the need for institutional capacity building and widespread public awareness.
She also made a powerful call to Ghana’s youth:
“To our young women and girls—and our young boys too—this Act was made with you in mind. Your dreams are valid, your leadership is needed, and your country is creating space for you.”
Both speakers emphasized that gender equity is not a women’s issue, but a national development imperative*, echoing the theme for African Women’s Day 2025: “Leading with Purpose: Advancing Gender Equality through Strategic Implementation of the Affirmative Action Act.”
The event concluded with renewed commitments from all stakeholders to make the Affirmative Action Act a household name and a transformative tool for equality, representation, and national progress.
Story by Eugene Kwasi Nyarko
