Low female representation in Mahama’s cabinet unacceptable – Speaker Bagbin

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has expressed disappointment over the lack of gender representation in President John Dramani Mahama’s cabinet, criticizing the failure to meet the 30% benchmark for women’s appointments.

Speaking at an International Women's Day event in Parliament, Bagbin pointed out that only two out of 19 Cabinet Ministers are women, falling far short of the target set by the Affirmative Action Gender Equality Act.

“We have tarried long enough in passing the bill. Let us not apply the same wishy-washy attitude towards its implementation. I am not impressed with what I have seen so far regarding the leadership position of women in Parliament, committees of Parliament, and appointments into senior positions. Even the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is not a cabinet ministry,” he lamented.

He urged Parliament to take the lead in championing gender equality, calling for a restructuring of leadership roles within the House to reflect the principles enshrined in the law.

“So, I call on leadership, and I will lead it. They have to consider the reconstitution of leadership in the House. We passed the law, so we have to lead by example. Out of the 43 committees in Parliament, only four are chaired by women. And out of 19 ministers of state in the cabinet, only two are women. So, why did we spend all the resources and time to pass the law? We have to sit up,” he added.

Bagbin emphasized that passing the law alone is not enough, urging the government to take decisive steps to fully implement the Affirmative Action Gender Equality Act and fulfill its commitments to gender inclusivity in governance.