The STAR-Ghana Foundation, in collaboration with its civil society partners, is urging the Government of Ghana to ensure a minimum of 30% women’s representation in the appointment of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
This call is made in light of the current underrepresentation of women in local governance, with women accounting for less than 18% of leadership positions at the district level.
As of February 5th, women constitute 26.6% of the government’s appointments, with 4 women out of 36 in Ministerial positions, 7 women out of 10 in state agencies, and 3 women out of 16 as Regional MinMinister.
According to the stakeholders, while this is a commendable start, the near absence of women in some vetted lists of appointments to the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies is concerning.
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 own commitments.
The STAR-Ghana Foundation and its partners believe that achieving this target will contribute significantly to promoting gender equality, enhancing women’s empowerment, and strengthening local governance in Ghana.
The stakeholders argue that the benefits of increasing women’s representation in local governance are well-documented.
Women’s participation in decision-making processes has been shown to lead to more inclusive and responsive governance, as well as improved outcomes in areas such as healthcare, education, and economic development”, the statement said.
Furthermore, women’s leadership has been linked to increased transparency, accountability, and reduced corruption.
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
– Enforce criteria on gender inclusivity in the appointment process of MMDCEs
– Ensure that women are represented in all decision-making structures and processes at the local level.
The foundation urges His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, to demonstrate bold leadership and political will by implementing a minimum 30% women’s representation policy in MMDCE appointments. This will not only promote gender equality but also contribute to the overall development and prosperity of Ghana.
The STAR-Ghana Foundation and its partners are committed to supporting the Government of Ghana in achieving this target.
We call on all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the media, and the general public, to join us in advocating for increased women’s representation in local governance,” it said.
Together, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous Ghana, where women’s voices are heard and their leadership is valued.