Minister Lartey and Governance Advocates Push for Affirmative Action and Enhanced Institutional Protections

In a concerted effort to strengthen Ghana’s democratic framework and social equity, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, has called for intensive media support to ensure the successful implementation of the Affirmative Action Law. The Act sets an ambitious target of 30% women’s representation in leadership positions by 2026, rising to 50% by 2030. This push for gender parity is being bolstered by the Network for Women’s Rights (NETRIGHT) and the Affirmative Action Law Coalition, who are demanding that the Constitutional Review Committee include a mandatory 30% quota for women in Parliament. Currently, women hold only approximately 14.86% of parliamentary seats, a figure advocates argue is insufficient for genuine national development.

Parallel to these social reforms, the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG) is advocating for stronger constitutional protections for the Auditor-General, the Internal Audit Agency, and the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA). During a recent lecture, Dr. Valentin Kwasi Mensah highlighted the vulnerabilities of these oversight bodies to political interference, citing the past removal of Daniel Yaw Domelevo as a cautionary tale. Further emphasizing the demand for transparency, the Right to Information Commission (RTIC) reported receiving nearly 80 applications challenging the denial of information by public institutions. These developments reflect a growing trend of institutional accountability and a shift toward protecting state bodies from the cyclical nature of partisan politics.

The judicial system also remains under heavy scrutiny as the trial of former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene reaches a critical juncture. Lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea has filed a submission of no case to answer, arguing that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence linking Adu-Boahene to the alleged misappropriation of GH₵49.1 million intended for a cybersecurity project. Amidst this high-profile case, legal activists like Oliver Barker-Vormawor have criticized the Ghana Bar Association for what they term inconsistent responses to attacks on legal professionals and protesters. These critiques are underscored by ongoing concerns regarding the constitutional 48-hour arrest rule, which is frequently bypassed due to administrative delays and the lack of weekend court sessions.

To ensure these reforms translate into long-term stability, industry leaders and social commentators are urging a departure from "petty partisan politics." Film producer Socrate Safo warned that the creative industry is often crippled by the abandonment of initiatives like "Beyond the Return" whenever government leadership shifts. Similarly, social policy advocates are proposing that the age of sexual consent be raised from 16 to 18 to align with the legal marriage age, creating a consistent legal framework for child welfare. Collectively, these voices call for a governance style under President John Mahama that prioritizes institutional continuity, legal consistency, and the proactive enforcement of laws to restore public trust in the state.