Gender advocate Esther Tawiah has expressed concern over systemic practices in Ghana’s financial institutions that reinforce gender stereotypes and hinder women’s independence.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Tawiah criticized the requirement for women to disclose their marital status when accessing financial services, arguing that it unnecessarily ties financial independence to a woman’s relationship status.
“When you go to a bank and want to open an account, the first thing they ask is your marital status,” Tawiah explained. “If you don’t respond, they say they can’t proceed because the Bank of Ghana needs that information. But I don’t think the financial independence of a woman should depend on whether she’s married or not.”
Tawiah highlighted the psychological toll this practice can take, particularly on unmarried women. “Imagine you’ve been praying for marriage for years, and then at the bank, you’re reminded that marriage is seen as essential. It adds unnecessary pressure and reinforces the idea that a woman’s value is tied to her marital status,” she said.
Tawiah emphasized that such discriminatory practices reflect deeper societal issues. She pointed out that women are disproportionately questioned about their marital status in both public and professional spaces. “How often do we ask men in politics or leadership how they balance their careers with family life? But for women, it’s a constant question. This reflects the entrenched stereotypes that women face,” she noted.
She also criticized banks for requiring women seeking loans to involve their husbands as guarantors. “What if a woman wants to do business independently, without involving her husband? These policies hinder women’s financial autonomy,” Tawiah stated.
Tawiah called for attention to other pressing issues affecting women in Ghana, including inadequate support for victims of domestic violence. She criticized successive governments for failing to establish the fund mandated by the Domestic Violence Act to support survivors. “There is no funding to support victims, and this affects both men and women. How can we combat domestic violence effectively without resources?” she questioned.
She also highlighted the need for shelters for vulnerable populations, including elderly women accused of witchcraft in northern Ghana. “We need to rebrand these shelters with dignity and provide proper care for these women. This is a critical social issue,” she added.
On the impact of climate change, Tawiah called for targeted policies to address its effects on women, particularly in rural areas. “Women are disproportionately affected by climate change. The Ministry of Gender needs to collaborate with other sectors to address this issue effectively,” she urged.
She also stressed the importance of educating women about financial tools like insurance, noting that many women are unaware of how to protect their businesses against risks such as fire outbreaks.
Tawiah urged the government to honor Ghana’s commitment to the Commonwealth Gender-Sensitive Budgeting Initiative, which requires 15% of the national budget to address gender issues. She also advocated for stronger laws to combat gender-based violence and sexual harassment in the workplace, aligning with international conventions such as ILO Convention 19.
Concluding her remarks, Tawiah called for a review of the Gender Ministry’s mandate and funding structure. She criticized the ministry’s reliance on external donations and its limited budget, noting that only 30% of its resources remain for core activities after allocations to programs like school feeding.
“The Gender Ministry needs a stronger mandate and more resources to address the many challenges women face. From financial independence to social protection, these issues require urgent and comprehensive solutions,” Tawiah stated.
