The Chairperson and Leader of the People's National Party (PNP), Janet Asana Nabla, has petitioned leaders of the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference and the Moslem community over President John Mahama's failure to appoint enough women as promised during his campaign.
According to the PNP leader, the outcome of the appointments so far constitutes a "grave constitutional violation" against women of Ghana.
She said by the Affirmative Action Act passed on July 30, 2024, President Mahama's appointment of 16 percent women ministers, 14 percent deputy ministers and 10 percent cabinet ministers is a show of "blatant disregard for gender equality and the law, an injustice that must not be tolerated".
The former General Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC) said the matter transcends politics and must be handled as a moral, legal and religious matter. "We call on the Christian and Moslem communities to rise to the defense of Ghanaian women," the petition noted. "Religion has always been a strong advocate for justice and the protection of the vulnerable." It later urged the religious leaders to "call on President Mahama to respect the Constitution and his campaign promise". "He must immediately reconstitute his ministers and cabinet and ensure that all remaining appointments meet the legally mandated 30% representation for women." The petitioned cautioned that "the failure to act will not only embolden future violations of the law but also deepen gender inequality in our country". "We trust that you will take urgent action to rectify this injustice.
