News
Intensify advocacy for passage of Affirmative Action bill
Participants at the event
The Convener of the Affirmative Action Bill (AAB) Coalition, Madam Sheila Minkah-Premo, has charged gender rights advocates to intensify the advocacy for the swift passage of the Affirmative Action Bill.
The lawyer, at the Regional Consultative Forum in Accra, which served as a platform to garner commitments from key stakeholders for the smooth passage of the bill, pointed to the need for the intensification of advocacy efforts by stakeholders at all levels.
She said the bill, presented to Parliament since 31st October 2023, had gone through the first reading and was currently under a certificate of urgency hence, more commitment was needed from women’s rights organisations and other stakeholders to justify its passage. “This is the time advocates need to intensify advocacy, come together and write a strong worded letter to parliament justifying the urgency to pass the bill into law,” she said.
The consultative forum on the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill, was sponsored by the Government of Canada and five other Gender rights groups namely, the Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT), Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) Ghana, Affirmative Action Bill Coalition, Plan International and Women’s Voice and Leadership in Ghana.
The Chairperson, Madam Afua Brown Eyeson, National Executive Committee, WiLDAF Ghana, said her organisation, together with other organisations were working to strengthen the political will to pass the AA Bill into law.
The bill, she said, would help provide accountability framework to measure gender equality, empowerment of women among other things by the Executive, Judiciary, the public and private sector.
It will also give a boost to women’s quest for adequate representation on all levels of decision making as stipulated in the Maputo Protocol of 2003, Beijing Platform for Action and other AU and ECOWAS Protocols on Gender Equality ratified by Ghana.
The National Director of the Department of Gender at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), Madam Faustina Acheampong, said the Ministry would collaborate with all the stakeholders to facilitate the swift passage of the bill.
Gender Advocates say that the Affirmative Action Bill, a proposed law, if passed, will legally address a history of systematic discrimination, stereotypes, traditions, religious dogmas and practices that impede the socio-economic, socio-cultural rights and freedoms of women and girls.-—GNA
News
IGP to arrest perpetrators of violence at the Ablekuma North elections – Nana B
The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, has disclosed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has pledged to arrest all those involved in the recent violence at the Ablekuma North elections.
In a Facebook post, Nana B said the assurance was given during a meeting between political parties and the IGP over security preparations for the upcoming Akwatia by-election, scheduled for September 2, 2025.
According to him, the NPP delegation, made up of himself, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central Henry Quartey, and DCOP Kwasi Ofori, urged the IGP to take swift action against the perpetrators of the violence.
He explained that their images had been widely captured in photos and videos, and their arrest would serve as a warning to others planning to cause disturbances in future elections.
“The IGP assured the NPP that the police will very soon arrest all the perpetrators of the Ablekuma North elections violence,” Nana B stated.
He further disclosed that the police plan to deploy about 5,000 officers to ensure adequate security across all polling stations during the Akwatia by-election.
The NPP, however, called on the police not to apply the law selectively.
Nana B noted that while some persons linked to the NPP have been arrested over social media commentary, others aligned with different political parties appear to have been left off the hook.
Despite this concern, the NPP expressed appreciation to the IGP for engaging political parties ahead of the by-election.
The party said it expects concrete steps to be taken to bring the perpetrators of the Ablekuma North violence to book.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Efforts are underway to fix the Ofankor–Nsawam Road – Ghana Highway Authority assures drivers
The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) has assured motorists that steps are being taken to repair the bad portions of the Ofankor–Nsawam Road.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the Authority said it had taken note of recent demonstrations and complaints from drivers, especially over the stretch between Sapeiman and Medie/Sansam junction.
According to the statement, the contractor has already fixed parts of the damaged road.
It mentioned that as of Monday, August 18, about five gangs were working on both the northbound and southbound lanes to improve safety and riding comfort.
The GHA appealed to drivers and commuters to be patient and cautious while using the road and to cooperate with traffic wardens and flagmen to avoid traffic jams.
It added that law enforcement officers had also been engaged to help manage traffic.
The Authority expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the works and assured the public that the project would be completed.
It said regular updates would be given on the progress.
By: Jacob Aggrey
