In a sharp critique following President John Dramani Mahama’s 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on February 27, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin questioned the lack of women representation in the president’s cabinet.
Addressing Parliament, Mr.Afenyo-Markin pointed out that of the 19 members in Mahama’s cabinet, only two are women, a figure he deemed inadequate and reflective of the gender imbalance in the government. He asked, “Where are the women in this government?” and specifically noted the absence of prominent female figures like Zanetor Rawlings, Hajia Lardy, and Hellene Ntorsso.
He emphasized the disparity, saying, “In percentage terms, we have only 10% women in cabinet,” a number that stands in stark contrast to the calls for more gender-inclusive leadership.
The remarks come after President Mahama delivered a speech outlining his government’s priorities, including addressing youth unemployment, which he called the nation’s “biggest challenge” and a growing security threat. Mahama announced plans to tackle the issue by establishing the Ministry of Youth Development to provide long-term solutions.
However, Afenyo-Markin was quick to criticize what he saw as Mahama’s “lamentations” during the address, accusing the president of failing to offer real solutions. “The president came to this house with the usual story, the familiar lamentations,” he said, urging Mahama to move beyond complaints and focus on fixing the country’s problems.
In his address, Mahama also encouraged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and their parliamentary minority to participate in the upcoming National Economic Dialogue, which is set for March 3-4, 2025. He stressed the importance of bipartisan cooperation to resolve Ghana’s economic challenges, citing the previous Senchi Forum, which the NPP had boycotted.
“Together we shall build the Ghana we all want,” President Mahama declared, outlining his commitment to involving all Ghanaians in shaping the country’s economic future.
The National Economic Dialogue, a key initiative of Mahama’s administration, is expected to provide a platform for citizens to discuss the nation’s pressing economic concerns and collaborate on policies to foster sustainable growth.
As Ghana braces for the upcoming forum, Afenyo-Markin’s critique of Mahama’s cabinet selection highlights ongoing tensions over gender equality in government, with the nation watching closely to see if the president will take steps to address these concerns.
Source:TheDotNews