UNFPA GHANA COMMENDS GOVERNMENT ON THE LAUNCH OF THE
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION (GENDER EQUITY) ACT

UNFPA Ghana extends its congratulations to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social
Protection on the official launch of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act 2024. This
landmark achievement marks a decisive step forward in Ghana’s commitment to promoting
gender equality and empowering women to participate fully and equitably in national
development.

This progressive legislation, which seeks to increase women’s participation in public life to
a minimum of 50% by 2030, represents a transformative step toward realising Ghana’s
commitments under the Sustainable Development Goal five which focuses on achieving
gender equality and empowering all women and girls, as well as the International
Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action. With the Act
now launched, UNFPA Ghana is confident that it will strengthen inclusive governance,
gender-responsive budgeting, and policy accountability at all levels.

Speaking at the launch, UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Zia Choudhury, lauded Ghana for
taking a bold step and emphasised the need for strong and consistent implementation to
translate the Act’s promise into meaningful progress.

“This Act, if implemented, will create pathways for women to lead with dignity and
purpose. It will bring more diverse perspectives into decision-making spaces, which is
essential for stronger, more equitable development outcomes. Ghana, once again, sets a
powerful example for the continent.”

For UNFPA, this moment calls for the urgent need to break systemic barriers that continue
to limit women’s and girls’ full participation in society. The Act offers an opportunity to
accelerate progress toward achieving UNFPA’s transformative goal of ending gender-based
violence and harmful practices, including all forms of discrimination that deny women their
voice, their rights, and their place at the decision-making table.

UNFPA Ghana remains committed to working alongside government, civil society,
development partners, and all stakeholders to support the realisation of this legislation
through evidence-based advocacy, technical support, and sustained dialogue.

We call on all partners and stakeholders to support in making this cause a reality. The time
to translate political will into expressive action is now. Let us work together to ensure that
this Act becomes a lived reality for every woman and girl in Ghana.