The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has reaffirmed the importance of the Affirmative Action Bill becoming law.
When approved into law, the Affirmative Action Bill, which is presently before Cabinet for approval, would ensure that a critical proportion of women are in crucial positions in governance and public life.
This will place them in positions of decision-making, allowing them to influence changes in current laws and regulations, as well as enhance the lives of women in general.
The Speaker made the remarks on Thursday on the floor of Parliament, urging members to accept the Affirmative Action Bill from the Executive Branch and work on it, stating, "It is our role to legislate, not the Executive's."
"If there are any constitutional issues, we will notify them." I don't believe that passing an Affirmative Action Bill violates any constitutional restrictions. I don't think so. I don't think so. We're not going to include financial positions in the Act because we're not going to legislate them."
That is why, he added, he agreed with his predecessor, Speaker Mike Aaron Oquaye, in permitting House members to introduce the Private Members' Bill.
He stated that the government was preoccupied with the Public Bill, which was the cause for the private sector's lack of attention.
He stated that there is more work to be done in order for the private sector to thrive, since it creates wealth and drives the country's prosperity. The public sector provides the infrastructure that allows the private sector to function.
Speaker Bagbin urged members to take their work more seriously, noting that the House will devote this year to oversight duties.
"This year and next year, the House will have to put in a lot of effort so that by the time we get to 2024, which is an election year, we don't have to deal with the same situation we did in 2020."
He asked the country's political parties to guarantee that their primary elections were held in a peaceful way.
The House of Commons has been postponed till Tuesday, May 31 at 1000 hours.
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