Some civil society organisations in the country have expressed disappointment over the low women representation in the recent appointments made by the President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The CSOs in a joint release copied to Ultimatefmonline, said it was dismayed about the President choosing only 1 woman out of 14 persons for its newly created regions and some existing regions in the country.

They are therefore advocating for the recall of the positions in order to ensure gender equality.

We have learnt with shock and dismay the nomination by His Excellency, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, of 14 persons designated as ministers and deputy ministers for the newly created regions and some existing regions in the country.

We are
dismayed because this list contains the names of thirteen (13) men and only one
(1) woman.

We are
extremely disappointed at this appointment as we believe that all state
appointments must be undertaken within the overall commitment to gender
equality of women and men in order to add value and make use of diversity of
experiences in ways that are democratic and define genuine and equal
citizenship.

Article
35(6b) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana stipulates that the country must: “achieve reasonable regional and gender
balance in recruitment and appointment to public offices”.

The gender
ratio being represented in this list is a mere 6.25% for women nominated as
against men.

This cannot
be said to be “reasonable” and does not represent a genuine act of gender
responsiveness but rather reinforces the critical gender equality gaps and
challenges.

Again, this
appointment does not reflect the President’s current position as an African
Union Gender Champion.

The African
Union (AU) per its Gender Agenda calls on all member states to achieve parity and
equal representation of both women and men in political and public offices.

It is based
on this parity principle that Ethiopia, Rwanda, Senegal and other sister African
countries are making progress towards the 50/50 appointment of women and men to
high level political offices.

This list of ministers
designated to manage these regions does not also reflect the governing party’s (NPP’s)
manifesto provision promising to give a minimum of 30% appointment to women in participation
and in representation in all levels of decision making structures in Ghana.

We do sincerely
acknowledge the appreciable progress that has been made in placing individual
women in very high profile positions but we are still missing out on the full
benefits of gender equality leadership teams.

Gender
equality is a precondition for meeting the
challenges of reducing poverty, promoting peace and security and enhancing
the quality of our human capital.

We therefore
demand that:


  1. The list of designated ministers and deputy ministers for
    the newly created regions and some existing regions be recalled and reconsidered
    to ensure gender equality.

  2. The formulae of not less than 40% women and not more than
    60% men or 40% men and 60% women be applied.

  3. Any government appointment should reflect the 40-60 formulae
    or the African Union 50-50 Agenda.

We are using
this opportunity to also call on the Speaker of Parliament and all parliamentarians
to ensure that gender equality and parity are at the heart of all appointments
that come to parliament for approval.

Gender inequality and gender disparities contributed in very realistic and
substantial ways to Ghana’s failure to secure comprehensive improved conditions
for all citizens.

Signed:


  1. Women’s Manifesto Coalition

  2. Women in Law and Development in Africa

  3. Abantu for Development

  4. International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ghana

  5. Women Media and Change (WOMEC)

  6. Free the Marginalised Women Advocates (FREMWA)

  7. Caritas Ghana

  8. Golden Star Foundation

  9. Voice of People with Disability, Ghana (Voice Ghana)

  10. Child Research and Resource Centre (CRRECENT)

  11. Community Development and Advocacy Centre (CODAC)

  12. Action for Sustainable Development (ASUDEV)

  13. SMAid International

  14. Penplusbytes

  15. Pronet North

  16. 4-H Ghana

  17. Association of Women for the Preservation of the Environment

  18. Youth Empowerment for Life (YefL)

  19. NORSAAC

  20. Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC)

  21. Our Lady of Mercy Community (OLAMCS), Navrongo

  22. Penal Reform Ghana (PRG)

  23. African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA)

  24. Youth and Women Empowerment (WOYE)

  25. Lorlornyo FM

  26. Ghana Community Radio Network

  27. Radio Builsa

  28. Radio Ada

  29. Radio Justice

  30. Daasgift Quality Foundation

  31. CILTAD/Coastal TV

  32. Kekeli Foundation

  33. Volta Educational Renaissance Foundation (VEReF)

  34. Child Research and Resource Centre (CRESCENT)

  35. ABANTU for Development

  36. Amnesty International, Ghana

  37. Ghana Journalists Association (GJA)

  38. Association of Women in Media (ASWIM)

  39. Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS)

  40. Ark Development Organisation

  41. Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA)

  42. Women Integrated Development Organization (WIDO)

  43. Central and Western Fishmongers Improvement Association (CEWEFIA)

  44. Women’s Hope Foundation

  45. Center for the Development of people (CEDEP)

  46. Peoples’ Dialogue on Human Settlement (PDHS),

  47. SMAid International

  48. Local Governance Network (LOGNET)

  49. Convention People’s Party (CPP)

  50. Odekro PMO

  51. Musician Union of Ghana (MUSIGA)