By Samira Larbie
Accra, Oct. 21, GNA – The Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT) and the Affirmative Action Law Coalition (AALC) have called for constitutional reforms to guarantee women at least 30 per cent representation in Parliament and district assemblies.
The groups said constitutional amendments were necessary to address persistent gender inequalities, strengthen women’s rights, and ensure their meaningful participation in decision-making at all levels of governance.
Mrs Sheila Minkah-Premo, Convener of the AALC, made the call on behalf of the two organisations at a press conference in Accra, where they presented their common position on the Government’s proposals for constitutional reforms.
The position paper, developed following the groups’ participation in the constitutional review process, outlines seven key recommendations aimed at promoting gender equality, inclusive democracy, and the protection of women’s rights.
The groups welcomed the Government’s recognition of the importance of women’s representation, but said stronger constitutional safeguards were required to consolidate existing gains and overcome structural barriers to women’s participation in public life.
They called on the Government to retain the existing 276 parliamentary seats rather than expand Parliament to 300, arguing that the proposed additional 24 seats would not, in themselves, guarantee the 30 per cent women’s representation required under the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121).
Instead, they advocated the introduction of proportional representation within the existing parliamentary seats, supported by gender-responsive party lists, appropriate candidate placement, and effective compliance mechanisms.
The groups explained that proportional representation should ensure that parliamentary seats reflected electoral support for political parties while incorporating safeguards to secure women’s representation.
They said the proposed expansion could not be regarded as proportional representation in itself and urged decision makers to prioritise inclusiveness rather than the size of Parliament.
The position paper also called for amendments to Articles 93 and 242 of the 1992 Constitution to guarantee at least 30 per cent representation for women in Parliament and District Assemblies, in line with Act 1121.
The groups cited figures showing that women occupied only 41 of Parliament’s 276 seats, representing approximately 15 per cent, while women accounted for about 4.1 per cent of elected District Assembly members in 2023.
They said the figures highlighted the need for enforceable constitutional provisions to address the longstanding underrepresentation of women in Ghanaian politics.
On local governance, NETRIGHT and AALC supported the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) rather than their nomination.
However, they emphasised that the proposed change must be accompanied by safeguards to guarantee women’s meaningful participation, including a minimum one-third representation threshold in local governance.
They urged the strategic use of the one-third presidentially appointed component of District Assemblies to improve women’s representation.
The groups also called for the retention and strengthening of explicit constitutional protections for women’s rights and gender equality, saying, a proposed Human Rights Act should complement, rather than replace, existing constitutional guarantees.
They advocated a comprehensive constitutional provision addressing gender-based violence and harmful practices, unpaid care work, equal economic opportunities and remuneration, access to land and credit, maternity protection, social security and equal property rights.
Additionally, they called for amendments to Articles 12(2), 17(2), 17(3) and 35(5) to expressly include sex as a prohibited ground of discrimination, as well as the repeal of Article 297(e).
The groups said constitutional language must recognise women explicitly as equal rights-holders and reflect contemporary gender equality and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion principles.
Mrs Patricia Blankson Akakpo, Head of Secretariat of NETRIGHT, said the constitutional review process offered an important opportunity to address discriminatory provisions and secure lasting progress for women and girls.
The organisations urged the President, Government, Parliament, the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee and other stakeholders to give serious consideration to their recommendations.
They said they would engage relevant authorities and stakeholders with the full position of paper, including the legal, institutional and practical justifications for the proposed reforms.
“Women’s equal representation and protection must be guaranteed, not left to chance,” the groups said.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Samira Larbie