The People’s National Party (PNP) has expressed deep concerns over what it considers as President John Dramani Mahama’s non-compliance with the Affirmative Action Law.
In a petition to Ghana’s leading religious institutions, including the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and the Muslim community, the party urged them to intervene in what it described as a grave constitutional violation by President John Dramani Mahama regarding the representation of women in governance.
The PNP, in its petition dated February 24, 2025, accused President Mahama of failing to uphold the Affirmative Action Act (AAL), which was passed by Parliament on July 30, 2024.
The law mandates a minimum of 30% representation for women in ministerial, deputy ministerial, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) positions, cabinet appointments, heads of state institutions, ambassadorial roles, and other key government appointments.
“During his campaign, President Mahama explicitly promised to implement the Affirmative Action Law (AAL) and ensure that women receive 30% representation in all his appointments.
“However, upon assuming office, he has reneged on this promise, thereby violating both his campaign pledge and Article 17(4) of the Constitution”.
People’s National Party (PNP)
According to the PNP, President Mahama, despite explicitly promising during his campaign to implement the law, has only appointed: 16% of women as ministers, leaving 84% of such positions to men, 14% of women as deputy ministers, with men occupying 86% of these roles and 10% women in cabinet ministerial positions, while men dominate with 90%.
The party described this as a blatant disregard for gender equality and the rule of law, insisting that the President’s actions constitute a violation of Article 17(4) of Ghana’s Constitution, which mandates corrective measures to address imbalances in representation.
Appeal to Religious Leaders
The PNP, in an impassioned plea demanded the intervention of all religious leaders, arguing that both Christianity and Islam champion justice and the protection of the vulnerable, including women.
The petition highlighted biblical and Quranic references to justify the need for gender equity in governance.
“In the Bible, Jesus Christ set the precedent for gender inclusion. He was the first to introduce girl-child education when he instructed Martha to join his teachings instead of focusing only on domestic duties (Luke 10:38-42).
“He protected the woman accused of adultery by questioning why only the woman was being punished while the man went free (John 8:3-11). Jesus emphasized equality, stating that God created both male and female equally (Matthew 19:4).”
People’s National Party (PNP)
Similarly, the PNP referenced Islamic teachings, emphasizing that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) recognized and prioritized the dignity of women.
Citing the Hadith (Sahih Bukhari 5971), which states that a mother’s needs should be prioritized three times over a father’s, the party argued that if Islam upholds women’s worth, then the silence of the Islamic community on this matter is unacceptable.
Religious Leaders Urged to Take Action
The PNP insisted that religious leaders cannot claim moral authority if they fail to stand against injustice.
The petition challenged churches and mosques to use their platforms not only for political discourse but also to defend the constitutional rights of women.
The party called on religious institutions to demand that President Mahama reconstitute his government and ensure that all remaining appointments meet the legally required 30% female representation.
The petition warned that failure to act will not only embolden future violations of the law but also exacerbate gender inequality in Ghana.
Describing the issue as more than just a political matter, the PNP stressed that it is a moral, legal, and religious duty to ensure justice and fairness for women in governance.
The party expressed confidence that religious leaders will take urgent action to correct what it sees as an injustice against Ghanaian women.
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