Accra, Ghana//-The STAR-Ghana Foundation, in collaboration with its civil society partners, has called for a minimum of 30% women representation in the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) appointments.
To this end, the civil society organisations (CSOs) comprising STAR-Ghana Foundation, Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT), ABANTU for Development, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Gender Centre for Empowering Development (GenCED), Ghana CSOs Platform on SDGs, Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Centre, Songtaba, Tamale Development Foundation, Martha Inspires Foundation, FUSAID Global, Voices of Women with Disability in Ghana (VOWAG), NORSAAC, Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA), and Hereafter Ghana also called do on President John Dramani to ensure that a minimum of 30% women’s representation in the appointment of the MMDCEs is attained.
“Ensuring a minimum of 30% women’s representation in MMDCE appointments is a constitutional, developmental, and moral imperative. This action aligns with Ghana’s commitments under the 1992 constitution, international obligations, and the government’s commitments, as outlined in policy documents and party manifestos (Manifesto, NDC 2024), which pledge to ensure women’s participation in leadership by 30%”, they said in a press statement issued in Accra.
The CSOs further urged Mr Mahama to demonstrate bold leadership and political will by implementing a minimum 30% women’s representation policy in MMDCE appointments.
This, according to them, would catalyze inclusive governance, sustainable development, and the realization of Ghana’s gender equality commitments.
“We call on Civil society organizations to amplify advocacy efforts and hold the government accountable to its gender equality target on women’s political participation.
- The media to highlight the urgency of this issue and drive public discourse.
- The Ghanaian public to demonstrate active citizenship by demanding and supporting policies that ensure women’s full and equal participation in governance.
Together, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous Ghana – a nation where women’s voices are not just acknowledged but are central to decision-making at all levels of governance.”
Commitments and Actions Needed
To drive meaningful progress, the STAR Ghana Foundation and its partners call on the Government of Ghana to:
- Guarantee a Minimum 30% Quota for Women in MMDCE Appointments
- Ensure that at least 30% of all appointed MMDCE positions are allocated to qualified women, including youth and differently abled persons.
- Enforce criteria on gender inclusivity in the appointment process of MMDCEs.
Persistent Underrepresentation of Women in Local Governance
Women’s participation in local governance remains alarmingly low. According to the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development (MLGRD, 2023), women account for less than 18% of leadership positions at the district level. Furthermore, the Ghana Statistical Service (2023) reports that only 26 out of 86 government-appointed leadership positions are held by women.
The application process for the MMDCE positions was open to both females and males. However, the vetted lists for some regions, such as the Upper West region, have excluded women entirely, with no female candidates making it to the final list.
Gender statistics
The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), so far made these appointments as of 5th February; four women out of 36 to Ministerial positions, seven women, out of 10 to state agencies including Youth Employment Agency, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Environmental Protection Agency, Petroleum Commission and Minerals, Income & Investment Fund, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) three women, out of 16 as Regional Ministers, six out of the 10 appointments at the Vice President’s office, five out of 10 Presidential staffers, zero out of four to National security and three deputy ministerial positions out of 13.
From these, women constitute 26.6 % (28 out of 105 appointments), and we commend the bold commitment of His Excellency to ensuring that women play critical leadership roles in his government.
Commendation
Despite the near absence of women in some vetted lists of appointments to the MMDAs, the STAR-Ghana Foundation and its civil society partners commended the government for its commitment to gender equality through the appointment of women into ministerial and other public positions in its new administration.
