The People’s National Convention (PNC) has applauded the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, for giving more deputy ministerial roles to women in his recently-released list, as compared to his first term in office.

According to the PNC, 26% of the people chosen by the president to serve as deputy ministers are women, a significant rise from his first term, when only 16% percent of the appointees were women.

“This decision is a major step forward for gender equality and women’s empowerment in Ghana, with direct implications for broader engagement of women in national decision-making. It is also a strong message to all women in Ghana, young and old, that the sky is not even the limit in their quest for greatness.

“Although there is more room for improvement, the PNC sees this as a good gesture by the president towards the women of Ghana and wants to thank him on their behalf. We impress on the president to replicate this kind gesture in the appointment of the members of the Boards of government agencies and public enterprises, Chief Executive Officers of state corporations and MMDCEs, among others, in line with the Geneva Convention on gender parity,” the party said in a statement.

It charged the female nominees to live up to expectations and to give credence to the saying that “what men can do, women can do better.”

“This is the only way for them to ensure the future appointment of more women in government,” it added.

The party further advocated for the immediate passage of the Affirmative Action Bill into law.

“We believe this will go a long way to alleviate the plight of women and further increase their participation in the governance of this country.”

The PNC pledged to see to the selection of women in at least 40% of the government-appointed positions, should it be voted into power.

10 out of the 39 deputy nominees who were announced on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 for the 24 portfolios are women.

The female deputy ministers-designate include Abena Osei-Asare [Finance], Nana Dokua Asiamah Adjei [Trade and Industry],  Diana Asonaba Dapaah [Office of Attorney General & Ministry of Justice], Gifty Twum-Ampofo [Education], and Tina Gifty Mensah [Health]

Others are  Mavis Nkansah-Boadu [Roads & Highways], Naana Eyiah Quansah [Interior], Ama Pomaa Boateng [Communications & Digitalisation], Lariba Zuweira Abudu [Gender, Children & Social Protection], and Fatimatu Abubakar [Information].

Two of the nominees – Abena Osei-Asare and Tina Mensah – maintained their portfolios from the president’s first term.

Gifty Twum-Ampofo and Nana Dokua Asiamah Adjei, who previously served as Deputy Ministers of Gender and Information have been moved to Education and Trade respectively.

Read the full statement below:

STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY MINISTERS DESIGNATE


The PNC applaud the president, His Excellency Nana Akufo Addo, for giving 26% of representation to women in his newly deputy ministerial appointments as against 16% of same, in his first term. This decision is a major step forward for gender equality and women’s empowerment in Ghana with direct implications for women’s broader engagement in national decision-making. It is also a strong message to all women in Ghana- young and old, that the sky is not even the limit in their quest to greatness.

Although there is more room for improvement, the PNC sees this as a sign of good gesture by the president towards the women of Ghana and wants to thank him on their behalf. We impress on the president to replicate this kind gesture in the appointment of the Board of Government Agencies and Public Enterprises, Chief Executive Officers of state corporations, the MMDCEs amongst others, in line with the Geneva Convention on gender parity.

We implore on the fortunate women who are appointed to live up to expectations and to give credence to the saying ‘what men can do, women can do better’. This is the only way for them to ensure future appointment of more women in government.

It is our call for the immediate passage of the long-awaited Affirmative Action Bill into law. We believe this will go a long way to alleviate the plight of women and further increase their participation in the governance of this country.

A future PNC government shall see to the appointment of not less than 40% of women in appointed positions. We believe in the competency of women in management of our affairs.

PNC: Service with honesty.

-signed-

Janet Asana Nabla

General Secretary

Source: citifmonline.com