Accra: The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has praised Ghana for its commendable record in drafting progressive and rights-responsive policies that align with international human rights treaties. However, the commission also voiced concerns about the challenges in enforcing some of these policies.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Kathleen Addy, Chairperson of the NCCE, highlighted these issues at a workshop organized to sensitize female Members of Parliament (MPs) in Ghana on the Affirmative Action Law (Gender Equity) Act. She noted that while Ghana has made strides in policy formulation, successive governments have struggled with implementing their human rights policies. The Gender Equity Committee and other provisions in the Act have been crafted to address these long-standing implementation challenges.
Madam Addy added that there is a growing backlash against affirmative action legal frameworks, particularly in the United States. However, she emphasized that the Gender Equity Act does not prevent Parliament from enacting necessary laws to implement policies aimed at addressing social, economic, or educational imbalances in Ghanaian society.
Further, she explained that the law mandates the state to actively promote integration among the peoples of Ghana and prohibits discrimination based on place of origin, birth circumstances, ethnic origin, gender, religion, or other beliefs. The state is also required to take measures to achieve reasonable regional and gender balance in public office recruitment and appointment, and to prohibit gender-based discrimination.
Madam Addy noted that individuals who discriminate based on gender could face penalties, including fines ranging from five hundred to one thousand penalty units or imprisonment from six to twelve months, or both. Complaints of gender inequity can be submitted to the Parliamentary Gender Committee or the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), with an option for further appeal to a high court if administrative remedies are unsatisfactory.
She underscored that grievance resolution through CHRAJ or the Committee is free, but CHRAJ is more accessible. She urged female MPs to empower female workers to report grievances boldly and ensure the strict enforcement of the Affirmative Action Law to promote gender equity in Ghana.