Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, attended the National Dialogue on Affirmative Action and Breakfast Forum on March 28, 2025, which was organized by Glitz Africa Magazine.
High-level female leaders and policy influencers from Ghana and beyond convened for the event, which had as its theme “Strengthening Female Leadership and Policy Influence,” to talk about doable strategies for increasing women’s involvement in governance and leadership.
The Minister, who spoke at the session, said the discussion was both relevant and pertinent, particularly in light of Ghana’s recent enactment of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121).
She pointed out that the law, which was passed following almost 20 years of lobbying, is more than just a legal document; it is a national pledge to guarantee that women are no longer marginalized or ignored in areas where decisions are made.
During the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York, she presented some of the highlights from her recent participation in the ECOWAS High-Level Interactive Session, where it was disclosed that, at the current global pace, closing the gender gap might take more than a century.
Platforms like the National Dialogue, which unite seasoned leaders and up-and-coming changemakers, have the potential to speed up progress and drastically shorten that timescale, according to Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey.
In describing Ghana’s efforts to implement the Affirmative Action Act, she revealed that the government of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, through the Ministry of Gender, is working to meet the 30% minimum quota for women in all political appointments, finalizing the Legislative Instrument to support enforcement of the law, and forming a Gender Equity Committee to oversee compliance.
In order to make sure that the law is not just a piece of paper, the Minister also urged a national effort to support female leadership through intergenerational mentoring, institutional commitment, and robust accountability systems.
She underlined that skill, vision, and inclusivity should define leadership rather than gender.
The Minister called on all parties involved to press for greater representation of women in leadership roles, confront social prejudices, and strive for complete gender parity in the formulation of public policy as she wrapped off her speech.
Source: newsthemegh.com