Eunice Rachael Agbenyadzi, Head of Program at STAR-Ghana Foundation, has commended the new administration’s commitment to ensuring women, including young women and those with disabilities, are represented in government. Speaking in an interview on Starr 103.5 FM on February 11, 2025, she highlighted the progress made so far while calling for further improvements.
According to Agbenyadzi, the government has made 105 appointments within the Interior Ministry and other key agencies. Out of these, 28 are females, representing approximately 26.6% of the total appointments. She acknowledged that this is a positive development but emphasized that there is still room for improvement in achieving gender parity.
She also referenced the Gender Inequality Act, which sets a target of 30% female representation in decision-making positions between 2024 and 2026. Additionally, she noted that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), in its manifesto, has also committed to achieving a minimum of 30% women’s representation. She stressed that there are highly qualified women both within and outside the NDC who are capable of exceeding this 30% threshold, asserting that women can contribute even more significantly to governance.
Addressing the issue of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) positions, Agbenyadzi expressed concern that some areas still lack female representation. She emphasized that this gap underscores the urgent need for the government to take decisive action. She, along with the STAR-Ghana Foundation and its partners, is calling on President John Mahama to demonstrate full commitment by ensuring that women are adequately represented at all levels of his administration.
Agbenyadzi’s remarks add to the growing calls from civil society and advocacy groups urging the government to prioritize gender inclusivity in leadership roles. As Ghana moves towards achieving its gender representation goals, stakeholders are hopeful that concrete steps will be taken to address existing disparities and promote equal opportunities for women in governance.
