By Benjamin A. Commey
Accra, June 13, GNA – Madam Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms, has urged the timely implementation of the Comprehensive Gender Strategy within the public sector.
The five-year Comprehensive Gender Strategy for the Public Sector (CGSPS 2024-28) was initially scheduled for implementation last year but encountered delays due to unforeseen circumstances.
Speaking in Accra on Thursday at the inauguration of the Technical Coordinating Group for the implementation of the CGSPS, Madam Akanvariba said the Strategy was critical in harmonising all gender strategies and policies within the public sector.
This would prevent duplication and inconsistencies in gender-related policies and enhance inter-ministerial coordination.
Key objectives of the Strategy, is to among other things, achieve gender balance in staffing and leadership within the public sector, promote a respectful, non-discriminatory, and supportive work environment and safeguard employee health, well-being, and safety.
Additionally, it sought to build capacity and skills to support career progression and gender mainstreaming, deliver gender-sensitive public services and measure and report on gender equity and the delivery of gender-sensitive public services.
The Minister described the inauguration of the committee as a “significant step” towards the implementation of the Strategy.
“This event marks a major milestone in our journey towards a more inclusive, equitable, and responsive public service, our collective commitment to dismantling systemic barriers and creating a work environment where both women and men can thrive, lead and contribute to national development without discrimination or bias,” she said.
The Committee is chaired by the Minister and has Mrs. Elizabeth Ohene-Yeboah, Director, Office of the Head of the Civil Service as its Vice Chair.
Other members are; Ms. Golda Asante, Director, Administration and General Services, Office of the Head of Local Government Service; Ms. Sabia Aku Kpekata, Principal Programme Officer, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and Ms. Pearl Offeibea Twum, Deputy Director, Finance and Administration, Public Services Commission.
The rest are Ms. Lila Karen Amponsah, Principal Planning Analyst, National Development Planning Commission and Mrs. Thelma Ohene-Asiamah, Director, General Administration, Public Sector Reforms Secretariat.
With a year already lost on the Strategy’s implementation, the Minister emphasised the need for the committee to quicken its activities to ensure that more time was not lost.
“It (the CGSPS 2024-2028) started in 2024, and it will end in 2028. So, it has a five-year span.
“Today’s inauguration means that we have lost a whole year and that we need to speed with time to make sure that all the programs and the mandate of this committee is put in place so that we can ran the strategy to the end to make sure that we achieve what we want to achieve,” she said.
Madam Akanvariba assured the Group of the ministry’s support including revenue mobilisation to enable them to carry out their activities.
“I will keenly follow the meetings of the Group and expect regular comprehensive updates from your quarterly reports,” she indicated, urging members to work with “dedication and diligence” to ensure the objectives of the committee are achieved.
Mrs. Obeng-Yeboah, Vice Chair, stated that the committee would ensure its work aligns with existing laws, including the Affirmative Action law, to prevent any duplication.
“We are going to make sure that we don’t deviate from what the law is saying, and that this will become more or less like an implementation programme that we are going to take to ensure that everything in the law, hopefully, with all the support of Ghanaians, we will be able to achieve something,” she said.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey