The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Lariba Zuweira Abudu, has informed Parliament that the National Gender Policy (2015), which served as the supporting policy framework for the approval of the Affirmative Action Bill, has expired. However, the Ministry has undertaken stakeholder consultations and revised the National Gender Policy (2023-2032) to support the Bill.

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A Cabinet Memorandum is being finalized for submission to Cabinet.The Minister stated that after assuming office in January 2023, the Affirmative Action Bill was resubmitted to Cabinet on 2nd March 2023 for consideration and approval.

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In anticipation of Cabinet's approval, the Ministry plans to engage with Parliament's leadership, the Women's Caucus, Standing Committee on Gender and Children, and the Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to expedite the process.Mr.

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Peter Kwasi Nortsu-Kotoe, an MP from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), inquired about the status of the Affirmative Action Bill and urged the Minister to ensure its passage, emphasizing the House's full support for the bill.During her vetting by the Appointments Committee on December 15, 2022, Ms. Abudu expressed her commitment to the Affirmative Action Bill, recognizing its significance and the need for its passage.

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She believed that with the support of Parliament members, both female and male, the bill could be successfully passed.Ghana previously legislated an Affirmative Action Act in the 1960s, allowing ten women members to represent the country's regions in the Legislature.

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Despite recognizing the importance of women's political participation, women's representation in policy-making spaces in Ghana remains below the United Nations' threshold of 30 percent. Currently, women's representation in Ghana's Parliament is 14.5 percent, and in the District Assembly System, it is below five percent.

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Women also face low representation in government ministerial, ambassadorial, and board appointments, hindering their effective contributions to the country's development. The Affirmative Action Bill aims to address these disparities and promote gender equality in decision-making processes.

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