The People’s National Party (PNP) has accused President John Dramani Mahama of violating Ghana’s constitutional and legal provisions on gender equality in governance.
In a petition dated February 24 and addressed to major religious bodies—including the Christian Council, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and the Muslim community—the PNP alleged that President Mahama’s recent ministerial and deputy ministerial appointments reflect a stark gender imbalance.
According to the PNP, the President’s appointments contradict Article 17(4) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates Parliament to enact laws ensuring gender balance in public office.
The party also cited the Affirmative Action Act of 2024, which requires a minimum of 30% female representation in government appointments.
“During his campaign, President Mahama explicitly pledged to implement the Affirmative Action Law (AAL) and ensure at least 30% female representation in all his appointments. However, his recent selections fall far short of this commitment,” the petition stated.
The PNP highlighted key figures to support its claim, revealing that:
Women make up only 16% of ministers, compared to 84% men.
Female deputy ministers constitute just 14%, while men hold 86% of these roles.
The gender disparity is even more pronounced at the cabinet level, where women account for only 10%, leaving 90% of positions to men.
The party urged Ghana’s religious leaders to take a firm stand and hold President Mahama accountable for what it describes as a failure to uphold gender equality in governance.
“The country’s religious institutions have long championed justice and equity, and they must not remain silent in the face of such a clear violation of legal mandates,” the petition emphasized.
The PNP called on the President to take immediate steps to rectify the imbalance and fulfill his campaign promise to uphold the Affirmative Action Law.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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