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President Mahama’s commitment to implement Affirmative Action Act commendable – Josephine Oppong-Yeboah
Media personality and gender advocate Josephine Oppong-Yeboah, has applauded President John Dramani Mahama for his commitment to implementing the Affirmative Action Act of 2024 (Act 1121), aimed at achieving gender equity in all aspects of national life.
She stressed that the Act’s implementation will ensure women’s voices are heard and included in every sector of the country’s development.
In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) following his re-election, President Mahama, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, reaffirmed his government’s dedication to operationalising the Affirmative Action Act.
He indicated that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the Act’s provisions, which include a 30 percent target quota for women in political appointments, are fully realised.
“I’m pleased to report that women currently make up 23.21 per cent of all appointments, and we are diligently working towards reaching the target outlined in Act 1121,” President Mahama noted.
The Affirmative Action Bill, passed by Parliament on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, was widely celebrated by women’s rights groups both within Ghana and internationally.
In response to the President’s pledge, Ms. Oppong-Yeboah expressed her support, stating that the implementation of the Act will not only promote gender equity but also foster economic growth, strengthen democracy, and address historical inequalities.
“By empowering women and ensuring their full participation in all aspects of society, Ghana can build a more inclusive and prosperous future for all its citizens,” she remarked, adding, “Gender equality is directly tied to economic growth.”
She further emphasised that the Act will boost the visibility of women in leadership and influential roles, inspiring future generations of women to pursue their ambitions and creating a positive cycle of mentorship and empowerment.
By Benedicta Gyimaah Folley
News
Prospective Hajj Pilgrims to obtain passport at Hajj Village- Okudzeto Ablakwa
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said that for the first time, prospective Hajj pilgrims can conveniently obtain their passport at the Hajj Village.
According to him, it will take a maximum of three days for their passports to be processed.
In a post on Facebook today, he said, passport applicants do not need to pay additional fees for this special intervention.
He noted that the initiative is part of the of passport reforms under President Mahama’s Reset Agenda to enhance efficiency, modernize passport application processes and improve convenience for the general public
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read the full post below
For the first time in our nation’s history, prospective hajj pilgrims can conveniently obtain their passports at the Hajj Village.
It will take a maximum of 3 days for their passports to be processed.
The passport applicants do not need to pay additional fees for this special intervention.
This initiative is part of ongoing passport reforms under President Mahama’s Reset Agenda to enhance efficiency, modernize passport application processes and improve convenience for the general public.
This novel mobile service will now be available to large groups, which will include religious organizations, educational institutions, corporate Ghana and travel agencies upon request.
The Foreign Ministry has also created special desks at all Passport Application Centres across the country to take care of the estimated 5,000 Ghanaian Muslims expected to participate in the 2025 Hajj without compromising the integrity of Ghanaian passports.
Resetting our institutions to benefit all Ghanaians.
I wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters a Ramadam Kareem.
News
6th March is Statutory Public Holiday – Interior Ministry
The Interior Ministry has declared Thursday, 6th March as a public holiday.
In a statement signed by the Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, he noted that the day which marks the Independence Day is a Statutory Public Holiday.”The general public is hereby informed that Thursday, 6th March, 2025 which marks Independence Day is a Statutory Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country,” he noted.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
