By the issue of equal representation of women has been spearheaded by many since independence and in this generation, lots of groups continue to work relentlessly to draw attention to the need for capable women to be offered strategic positions in and outside government.
The 2007 Annual Progress Report of the African Peer Review Mechanism recorded low representation of women in public life in spite of commitments to ensure 30% women’s representation in executive positions at all levels.
The APRM indicated the need for the development of policies and programmes to increase the representation of women in public life.
Subsequently, a number of significant appointments of women have been made.
The appointment of the first woman Chief Justice in Ghana, Her Ladyship Mrs. Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, the first woman Government Statistician Mrs. Grace Bediako, the first woman Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mrs. Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, the Acting Commissioner of the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice Ms Anna Bossman,the Commissioner of the Ghana Immigration Service, Ms Elizabeth Adjei and the first woman Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Mrs. Naana Opoku Agyeman.
The most recent is the appointment of the first woman Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Mrs. Justice Joyce Adeline Bamford Addo.
Mrs. Justice Bamford Addo was unanimously elected by both sides of the Legislature and was sworn-into office by the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Mrs. Georgina Wood just before the inauguration of Ghana’s new President, His Excellency John Evans Atta-Mills on 7th January 2009.
Mrs. Justice Joyce Bamford Addo is a retired justice of the Supreme Court.
The appointment of the Speaker has attracted commendation and congratulatory messages from all walks of life.
The significance of two women heading two of the three arms of government, the Judiciary and the Legislature has brought hope to many that the future holds a lot of promise to fulfill the quest for the APRM National Programme of Action to ensure gender equality in Ghana.
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