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Effective implementation of Affirmative Action Law key to gender equality — Convenor
Mrs Sheila Minkah-Premo, Convenor of the Affirmative Action Law Coalition, has stressed that the effective implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), is critical to achieving genuine gender equality in Ghana.
She said while the passage of the law in July 2024 was a landmark achievement after more than a decade of advocacy, its true impact would depend on how well institutions, policymakers, and society commit to its enforcement.
“The law itself will not change the position of women unless we take deliberate steps to ensure that it is fully implemented. By 2026, the law requires that women hold at least 30 per cent of positions in governance and decision-making, and this target must not be taken lightly,” Mrs Minkah-Premo stated.
Mrs Minkah-Premo was speaking at the opening of a two-day stakeholder workshop on family law reform in Accra, organised by the Initiative for Gender Equality and Development in Africa (IGED-Africa) in collaboration with the Solidarity of African Women’s Rights (SOAWR) Coalition hosted by Equality Now.
The stakeholder workshop, which runs from September 10 to 11, 2025, has brought together civil society actors, legal experts, and policymakers to deepen advocacy on Ghana’s family law reform agenda.
It seeks to accelerate progress on pending legislations such as the Property Rights of Spouses Bill and the Interstate Succession Bill, which have faced years of delays in Parliament despite their potential to safeguard women’s economic and social rights.
Part of wider efforts to consolidate gender equality gains across Africa, the outcomes of the workshop would contribute to regional strategies aimed at tackling persistent barriers to women’s rights and representation.
Mrs Minkah-Premo, who has been involved in the drafting and advocacy of the Affirmative Action Law, said the Act provided a legal framework to progressively increase women’s participation in governance – 30 percent by 2026, 35 percent by 2028, and 50 percent by 2034.
It also establishes a Gender Equity Committee to oversee compliance and issue certificates to institutions that meet set targets.
However, she warned that implementation challenges were already evident, and that, “We are seeing early signs of non-compliance in presidential appointments, funding gaps for the Gender Equity Committee, and delays in setting up the structures needed to make the law effective. These must be urgently addressed,” she said.
The Convener highlighted that cultural barriers, entrenched stereotypes, and a patriarchal political system continued to undermine women’s representation.
She noted that despite women making up more than 50 per cent of Ghana’s population, their presence in Parliament stood at only 14.8 per cent, with just 41 female MPs out of 276.
She added that the Affirmative Action law was designed not only to meet constitutional requirements but also to align Ghana with its international obligations, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Maputo Protocol, and the Beijing Platform for Action.
Mrs Minkah-Premo urged stakeholders to keep pushing for results, and that “The law is only as strong as the people who defend it. It is up to all of us, civil society, policymakers, and citizens, to hold duty bearers accountable so that gender equality moves from paper to practice.”
Participants emphasised that reforming family laws alongside enforcing the Affirmative Action Act would provide stronger protection for women’s rights and create a more inclusive governance system.
They agreed that coalition-building, public education, and consistent monitoring would be critical in sustaining advocacy and ensuring accountability.
—GNA
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Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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