Ghana has taken a bold step toward gender equality with the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1211) — a landmark law that charts a clear path to women’s inclusion in leadership and decision-making. The Act sets ambitious but achievable targets: 30% women in leadership by 2026, 35% by 2028, and full gender parity (50%) by 2030.
Speaking at the Women in HR Conference held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the Accra City Hotel, the Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu, underscored the responsibility that comes with this national commitment.
“This future will not arrive by accident. It requires deliberate effort from women to claim their space, from boards to open doors, and from society to embrace inclusion as an imperative, not an option,” she declared.
Her message was clear: the law may open the door, but women themselves must walk through it, and society must ensure those doors stay open.
Why It Matters
Ghana’s development cannot be complete if half of its population remains underrepresented in leadership. Evidence is clear — when women rise, families rise. Communities rise. Economies rise. The Affirmative Action Act is not just about fairness; it is about unlocking the full potential of Ghana’s human capital.
The Advocacy Imperative
As the 2026 deadline approaches, this is a moment for collective responsibility.
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Women must prepare, build networks, and position themselves for leadership.
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Institutions must create enabling environments, mentoring, and equal opportunities.
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Society at large must see inclusion not as a favour to women, but as a national necessity.
The journey to 50% by 2030 is not just a legal mandate — it is a promise of justice, equity, and progress for Ghana.
